May 11, 2023
Burrandowan Picnic Races has battled winds and rain in recent years, but the 101st meeting on Saturday went off without a hitch.
Large crowds turned out in perfect weather at the Chahpingah track to enjoy the annual races, shotgun shoot, post-race entertainment and pit barbecues.
Campers partied late into the evening … and early morning!
Highlights of the day included a performance by the Kingaroy State High School Band.
Later in the evening, local band Mr Q made sure the music kept the people dancing.
Out on the track, the racing went smoothly with the tightest finish in Race 5, the Burrandowan Cup.
South Burnett councillor Kathy Duff finally had a chance to present a gold watch to the winning jockey which she had prepared for last year’s washed out Centenary race meeting.
Her grandparents met at the first Burrandowan Picnic Races in 1922.
John Patrick Duff entered “Thunderclap” in the Ladies Bracelet that year, a race which had a bracelet (actually a gold watch and band) as the prize.
The horse had to be nominated in the name of a lady, and he picked Dorothea Evans – whom he had just met on race day.
Thunderclap won, Duff presented the prize watch to Dorothea, and the couple was married four years later on St Patrick’s Day.
Cr Duff’s uncle Terry Duff helped with the presentation on Saturday to jockey Luke Miller, who rode Impactful to victory in the Cup.
* * *
The Burrandowan Fashions Of The Field competition was as hotly contested as ever:
- Gentleman – Tony Jacobi, runner-up Matt Tanner
- Contemporary Lady – Neva Eisenmenger, runner-up Toni Anne
- Classic Lady – Verelle O’Shannessy, runner-up Brodie Millson
- Millinery – Amy Smoothy, runner-up Sandra Heiner
- Couple – Leoni and Liam Moorshead, runners-up Barbara and Thomas Thompson
- Lady Of The Day – Leoni Moorshead
* * *
Race Results
Race 1 – Reserve Open Handicap (1050m)
1. Turboart (3) – Liv O’Donnell
2. Diggity (6) – Hannah Phillips
3. Cloynes Road (10) – Chris Meehan
Time: 0:59.75
Margins: 2 3/4 lengths x 1 1/2 lengths
Race 2 – Seilers Transport/Patrons Trophy Class B Handicap (1175m)
1. Move Beyond (12) – Landan Sykes
2. Devine Falls (3) – Morgan Butler
3. Holy Chariot (10) – Kelly Gates
Time: 1:10.57
Margins: Neck x 3 1/4 lengths
Race 3 – Combined Business Houses Of Kingaroy QTIS Maiden Plate (1175m)
1. Rock Dreamer (5) – Kelly Gates
2. Mussel Lines (4) – Paul Hamblin
3. Victory Lights (7) – Morgan Butler
Time: 1:11.51
Margins: 1 1/2 lengths x head
Race 4 – Kewpie Stock Feeds Burnett To The Beach Ratings Band 0-60 Handicap (1175m)
1. Tuscany Bound (3) – Morgan Butler
2. Miralie (1) – Shania Willis
3. Oakfield Comanche (2) – Hannah Phillips
Time: 1:10.62
Margins: 1 length x 2 lengths
Race 5 – Kellco Livestock Agents Burrandowan Cup Benchmark 55 Handicap (1740m)
1. Impactful (2) – Luke Miller
2. Everynow’n’then (7) – Landan Sykes
3. Smashing Lucas (8) – Shannon Apthorpe
Time: 1:49.51
Margins: Neck x head
[All photos by John Dalton, courtesy of the Burrandowan Race Club]
