May 24, 2023
Everything was big at Nanango’s Autumn race meeting on Saturday … a good crowd, a huge seven-race card and large cash prizes in the fashion competition.
The meeting was a TAB event, which added to the betting excitement on the day.
Racing Queensland sponsored the “Fashions From Afar” competition which was hotly contested as it offered $500 cash prizes (see below).
Many of the entrants travelled to Nanango especially to take part in the event.
Out on the track, there were several late jockey changes, a late scratching and some major excitement just before the last race.
Apprentice jockey Sophie Blunt lost control of her mount during the warm-up.
The four-year-old gelding, Craiglea Bandit, bolted and completed three laps of the course before he could be brought under control.
Craiglea Bandit was declared a late scratching on veterinary advice.
The exhausted jockey was examined by QAS paramedics but was not injured during the incident.
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Fashions From Afar
The Fashions competition returned to Nanango with a blast as “Fashions From Afar”, sponsored by Racing Queensland.
This is the third year that Racing Queensland has run a fashion competition for country racegoers in conjunction with the Battle of the Bush qualifying races around Queensland.
The Men’s and Women’s winners at Nanango both received a $500 cash prize and flowers, while the runners-up were sashed.
The winners were also offered the opportunity to compete in the competition final in Brisbane on Tattersall’s Tiara Day on June 24 for a $2500 grand prize (and $1000 runner-up prize).
The Nanango winners were:
- Women – Sue McLeod, Brisbane; runner-up Nicole Carlile, Toowoomba
- Men – Richard Pressland, Petrie; runner-up Daniel McCullum, Gold Coast
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Race Results
Race 1 – Leisa’s Fitness BenchMark 45 Handicap (1200m)
1. True Tally (7) – Nicole Vuille
2. Kabalega (3) – Alisha Donald
3. Craiglea Karly (9) – Chris Taylor
Time: 1:11.74
Margins: Neck x 1.5 lengths
Race 2 – The Nanango 175th Year Anniversary BenchMark 45 Handicap (1200m)
1. Beeokay (1) – Corey Sutherland
2. Dawn Colours (8) – Cecily Eaton
3. Kohiko (6) – Alisha Donald
Time: 1:10.50
Margins: 1 3/4 lengths x 2 lengths
Race 3 – Happy 70th Peter Crowley Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Flamin’ Ready (9) – Matthew Powell
2. Bailey Boo (1) – Hammah Richardson
3. Victory Lights (7) – Chris Taylor
Time: 1:10.64
Margins: 1 1/4 lengths x 2 lengths
Race 4 – Nanango RSL/Margaret & Garry Banks Memorial BenchMark 55 Handicap (800m)
1. Penny Stocks (11) – Chris Taylor
2. Lively Lass (18e) – Lilli Barr
3. Albion Square (1) – Corey Sutherland
Time: 0:45.61
Margins: Neck x 1/2 length
Race 5 – Bechley’s Transport QTIS Class 3 Plate (1000m)
1. Mahbaby (9) – Shannon Apthorpe
2. Barbary Royale (6) – Matthew Powell
3. Mishani Conman (2) – Lilli Barr
Time: 0:57.54
Margins: Neck x 1 1/2 lenghts
Race 6 – Heritage Bank 2023 Battle Of The Bush Nanango Qualifier Open Handicap (1200m)
1. Rollinwiththeflow (4) – Matthew Powell
2. Coat Of Arms (1) – Kenji Yoshida
3. Voulait (9) – Nathan Thomas
Time: 1:09.06
Margins: 2 lengths x 2 lengths
Race 7 – Nanango Caravan Service & Repairs BenchMark 60 Handicap (1600m)
1. Bring The Stars (10) – Nathan Thomas
2. Royal Performance (1) – Paul Hamblin
3. It Must Be Love (9) – Hannah Richardson
Time: 1:34.78
Margins: 1 1/4 lengths x 3 lengths
