April 3, 2024
Good crowds turned out at Lee Park on Saturday for Nanango Race Club’s traditional Easter Saturday meeting.
The autumn weather was surprisingly warm although the track was officially rated as “soft” after heavy rain earlier in the week.
There was a good crowd in the stands, and the betting ring was busy.
Finishes were close in most races, with punters having some success on the favourites.
Even more hotly contested were the Fashions of the Field competitions, with a surfeit of entrants in each category (see below).
The competition was compered by recently elected South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff who while on top in the mayoral race was less successful on the track.
Mayor Duff is joint owner of Hard Landing which came in second in Race 2 (all race results, below).
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Other Fashions Of The Field
The Fashions of the Field competitions, compered by South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff, were judged by recently elected Cr Linda Little and Rod and Jenny Morgan.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington distributed the prizes.
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On The Track
It was a big day for apprentice jockey Chloe Lowe.
In only her second race start, Lowe scored an easy win in Race 2.
Lowe was a late appointment on Office Jim but brought the seven-year-old gelding home for an easy win, disappointing the connections of second-placed Hard Landing, owned by members of the Otto and Duff families.
The former and new South Burnett mayors, Brett Otto and Kathy Duff, were at Lee Park to watch the race.
An incident in the last race marred an otherwise smooth day on track.
Apprentice jockey Johanna McGrath, riding favourite Jakkalberry Finn, became unbalanced as she approached the winning post.
McGrath fell from her mount about 100m after the post.
She was treated on course by QAS paramedics and transported to Kingaroy Hospital for further treatment.
Jakkalberry Finn finished in fourth spot.
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Results
Race 1 – Bechlys Transport Benchmark 45 Handicap (1000m)
1. Last Laugh (11) – Chris Meehan
2. Beatlemania (6) – Paul Hamblin
3. Craiglea Laki (7) – Landan Sykes
Time: 0:58.46
Margins: Short head x long head
Race 2 – Heritage Bank Nanango Open (1000m)
1. Office Jim (3) – Chloe Lowe
2. Hard Landing (2) – Corey Sutherland
3. Iced (4) – Cecily Eaton
Time: 0:57.38
Margins: 3 lengths x 1/2 length
Race 3 – Pursers Buses QTIS Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Super Rupert (4) – Landan Sykes
2. Icey (7) – Cecily Eaton
3. More Than Xtra (2) – Chris Meehan
Time: 1:12.27
Margins: Long neck x 2 1/2 lengths
Race 4 – Nanango Country Veterinary Service Burnett To The Beach Series – Heat – Benchmark 55 Handicap (1200m)
1. Kirella Shores (8) – Damien Boutet
2. Frosty Bear (2) – Landan Sykes
3. Richunclemoneybags (7) – Corey Sutherland
Time: 1:10.53
Margins: 1 3/4 lengths x 1/2 neck
Race 5 – Congratulations New SBRC Mayor And Councillors Benchmark 60 Handicap (1600m)
1. Clearly George (4) – Landan Sykes
2. Deshorente (6) – Kelly Gates
3. Master Drummer (9) – Chris Taylor
Time: 1:35.45
Margins: 2 lengths x length
