Sizzling Fun At Kumbia Races

Jess Randall, Sharon Maloney, Kim Kirk and Kaysie Roberts, all from Gayndah, with Pete Drakos, from Hodgleigh

November 6, 2024

Tickets for Kumbia’s annual Cup Day celebrations are always one of the hottest items on the local sporting calendar, but this year the sizzle was on the track as well.

Not only was the weather more than a little warm, but the racing was keen with three very close finishes on the five-race card (see results, below).

The Fashions of the Field competitions were as popular as usual with entrants competing for prizes sponsored by Kingaroy’s Carrollee Hotel.

And the heat didn’t deter the crowds … the trackside marquees were packed as was the bar, canteen and betting ring.

The new shaded areas which were positioned near the track were much appreciated by patrons.

Also new this year was the racecaller’s tower, erected near the mounting yard.

As usual, a roar went up as the big race from Flemington hit the screen and although the Melbourne Cup winner, Knight’s Choice, was a longshot, the fact it was a Queensland horse was appreciated by many of the punters.

The connections of the winner of the $15,000 Kumbia Cup, Peshwa, were also celebrating as the victory by the five-year-old gelding earned it a starting spot in the $200,000 Country Cups Challenge at Doomben on November 30.

Newly appointed Attorney-General (and Member for Nanango) Deb Frecklington with the team from the Nanango Electorate Office … from left, Belinda Pennell, Deb, Leanne Hams and Sheree Prendergast

Bill Steffensen was one of the volunteers working hard at the barbecue

Morgan Anderson, from Gayndah, and Jason Tessmann, Coolabunia

Gayle Peters, from Boonooroo, was signing up entrants in the Fashions of the Field competition and collecting donations for the McGrath Foundation

Robyn Aird and Jackie Martin, both from Nanango, were enjoying a day at the races

Brad O’Carroll, from Bribie Island, with “Second Chance” … Brad and his equine mate were part of a party of 30 from Bribie who are regulars at Kumbia: “We love it here, it’s the best race event of the year!”

Noel Hinton, from Pimpimbudgee, and Karen Mainsbridge, from Kingaroy, with South Burnett mayor Kathy Duff

Kinzie Campbell, Shay Barron, Paige Connelly, Amity Campbell and Felicity Vanstan. all from Kingaroy or Kumbia

Former race club treasurer Margaret Kearney was mentoring new treasurer Clare Waterworth

Zac Dennien and his mum, Cr Deb Dennien, with the family’s farrier, Wayne Hancock

Race sponsors Deb Frecklington and her sister Jackie Allery (Raine & Horne Kingaroy) presented the prize to winning trainer Pat Webster after Steel Gardenia took out Race 2 … Scott Henschen, left, compered the prize giving

Kumbia Cup winning jockey Chris Whiteley with connections of Peshwa and representatives from race sponsor Huston Motors

More shaded areas were erected alongside the track which were popular on a very hot day

*** * ***

Fashions Of The Field

The Fashions of the Field theme for the Kumbia Races was “Perfectly Pink” and entrants made donations to the McGrath Foundation’s fundraiser for local breast cancer nurses.

Former CROW-FM general manager Chantal Harth, now with CRAICCHS, compered the parades and South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff sashed the winners and runners-up.

Most Stylish Goddess (50+) winner … Verelle O’Shanesy (also Best Headwear winner)

Most Stylish Goddess (50+) encouragement …Karen O’Carroll

Most Stylish Goddess (50+) runner-up … Rhonda
Brumby

Most Stylish Goddess (-50) winner … Jess Randall (also Best Headwear runner-up)

Most Stylish Goddess (-50) encouragement … Amelia Dalton

Most Stylish Goddess (-50) runner-up … Felicity Reinke (also Best Headwear encouragement)

Best Dressed Gentleman winner … Riley Cavanagh

Best Dressed Gentleman encouragement … Shannon Christian

Best Dressed Gentleman runner-up
Darryl Dove

Chantal Harth compered the Fashions of the Field competition

*** * ***

Race Results

Peshwa (Chris Whiteley) romps to the line to easily take out the Kumbia Cup

Race 1 – Powersafe Kingaroy BM50 Handicap (1000m)
1. Craiglea Thera (9) – Kelsey Lenton
2. Suniki (2) – Samantha Pointon
3. One Last Trick (10) – Liv O’Donnell
Time: 0:56.62
Margins: Short neck x 1 1/2 length

Race 2 – Raine & Horne / Deb Frecklington MP QTIS Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Steel Gardenia (9) – Chloe Lowe
2. Free Choice (4) – Nora Palasthy
3. More Thought (5) – Perrie Carter
Time: 1:08.61
Margins: 5 lengths x 3/4 length

Race 3 – Kingaroy Quarry Supplies BM60 Handicap (1200m)
1. Mister Omega (3) – Chloe Lowe
2. Moorabinda Mick (2) – Shannon Apthorpe
3. Devil’s Rite (1) – Chelsea Francis
Time: 1:07.80
Margins: 1/2 head x short head

Race 4 – Lenihan, Smoothy & McConville 0-50 Handicap (1400m)
1. All About Lewis (2) – Perrie Carter
2. Dolly Disco (6) – Shannon Apthorpe
3. Fly Like Helen (5) – Kelsey Lenton
Time: 1:21.73
Margins: Long neck x short neck

Race 5 – Huston Motors Country Cups Challenge Qualifier / Kumbia Cup Open (1400m)
1. Peshwa (9) – Chris Whiteley
2. Office Jim (1) – Les Tilley
3. Momack (3) – Billie-Rose Andrew
Time: 1:20.13
Margins: 3 1/4 lengths x 1/2 length