April 24, 2024
The South Burnett Race Club’s traditional Anzac Day fixture, with its Poppies and Pearls fashion theme, is brimful of interest.
Poppies in buttonholes and punters exchanging pearls of wisdom in the betting ring will provide food for thought at Wondai.
Furthermore, the course layout is viewer-friendly with the testing, uphill run to the winning post often providing thrilling finishes.
The occasion is also a form of a special commemoration.
Back in the day, many racetracks hosted meetings conducted by Diggers’ race clubs. Stories about the risks prisoners-of-war took to listen to the Melbourne Cup on hidden radios really say something about the national ethos.
Another fascinating slice of history surrounds the Jericho Cup, a wartime race in Palestine that is celebrated at Warrnambool each November.
The story goes that during World War I, the Australian Light Horse were setting up a prime attack against the Turks. Their strategy was to stage a race meeting to convince the enemy that nothing was brewing.
The Jericho Cup, over three miles, was won by a Waler, Bill The Bastard.
The breed traces back to colonial times and were originally known as New South Walers.
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Sun Shines For Hay
Chinchilla owner-trainer Rodney Hay is a fascinating player.
His passion for horses and his capacity to travel far distances are fair dinkum traits. The former Taroom-based horseman has been a long-time racing supporter who places some of his steeds with other trainers.
2024 has certainly been rewarding for him thus far.
In this year’s $1 million Magic Millions Snippets sprint, his Redoute’s Choice gelding Petronius ($21) was runner-up, just two lengths astern of the triple MM winner King of Sparta (James McDonald, $1.55). Hay’s hopeful was saddled up by Brisbane conditioner Barry Lockwood. The second prize cheque was worth $180,000.
Earlier this year, Rodney had fun with the promising Tassort colt Astapor. The two-year-old, a lodger with Clinton Taylor at Rockhampton, won decisively on home turf and in Brisbane. His pursuit of Magic Millions glory was aborted after a tired fourth in the Bruce McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm behind the ultimate Golden Slipper hero, Storm Boy.
Since the end of January, Hay has hoisted jockeys on to his string at home, Warwick, Dalby, Miles, Roma, Thangool, Monto and Rockhampton. Three wins and seven placings have been recorded in the past two months.
His livery of a light blue jacket with black sleeves and cerise armbands and cap will be sported on Thursday by Holiday Dreams, Opaquely and the trio that trekked to Beetoota, Bedourie and Birdsville last September, namely Shezablast, Stoical and Albion Square.
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Guide For Novices
It is always great to see the younger generation turning out in force and having fun at Wondai’s race days.
Newcomers will find out that horses are not computerised robots. Hot favourites go down and, yes, omens sometimes prevail. The last race on Anzac Day at Wondai in 2023 was won by a gallant grey called Battle!
For those looking for more scientific pointers, it’s vital to take on board the fact that Wondai is a sand track. This type of surface is relished by some gallopers and detested by others.
On the grass, some like it firm while others go better in the mud.
Performers on sand tracks will often skirt wide to avoid the flying kickback.
Candidates with a proven winning record at Wondai are as follows: Takemeoutback, Vizone, Mussel Lines, Ultra Instinct and last year’s Wondai Diggers’ Club Cup quinella horses Hard Landing and Diggity.
A recent social media post by the South Burnett Race Club features a photo of that race finish. It may be an omen tip. Both thoroughbreds will be supported in the ring. Some may also factor in the idea that the going ashore at Gallipoli was an exceptionally hard landing.
The form in the race book provides data about each entry’s performance at Wondai.
By the way, last year’s Norm Andresen Memorial Class B trifecta was filled by Takemeoutback, Jain and Ultra Instinct. The trio all have engagements again in 2024.
Keep in mind that locally trained horses making their debut at home have the benefit of feeling out the course during trackwork.
Another heads up could be the form displayed on the sand at Gympie and Bundaberg. Babu King, Late Night Devil, Master Drumer, The Brumby, Ready To Thunder and The Big Bang Theory fit into this category.
Although the bulk of Thursday’s candidates are first timers at the course, some might take an instant liking to the conditions.
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Burnett To The Beach Series
Conditions for the annual Burnett To The Beach contest, that has rounds at the six south-east Queensland non-TAB venues, have changed this year.
It is not an accumulative points affair. The quinella in each heat are assured of a place in the $20,000 final over 1175 metres at Burrandowan on May 11.
The only remaining opportunities are at Wondai and the rescheduled Bundaberg edition on May 4.
Aspirants must have stepped out in at least one round and have started three times at Queensland non-TAB programs in the past 12 months.
Contenders with secured berths at present are Nine Cigars, Beatlemania, Dante Aligheri, Denman Blue, Yule My Hero, Black Country, Kirella Shores and Frosty Bear.
Good luck to all and, in particular, to jockey Hannah Phillips.
At her first and only ride since December last year, she finished second on Fort Myer at Gympie on Apri 13.
May her experience and dedication produce a win or two!
