Anzac Crowds Fall In At Wondai

Mick Oxenham, from Ipswich, and Scott Harrison, from Laidley, were enjoying a day out at the Wondai Races after Anzac Day commemorations

April 29, 2025

The Anzac Day races are always popular … but this year’s event attracted one of the biggest crowds seen for years at the South Burnett Race Club’s Wondai track.

There were long lines at the bar, barbecue and in the bookmakers’ ring!

The numbers were boosted by visitors camping at the nearby Wondai Sportsground who were taking part in a large cycling event over the long weekend but there were also many South Burnett residents who rolled up after Anzac Day events around the region.

The weather was unseasonably warm but the racing out on the track was also hot.

The feature race of the day was the Diggers Club Cup which jockey Chloe Lowe won on board Ablett.

Lowe also rode the Race 4 winner Costa Catori and also brought home a second on the five-race card.

NB. Last year’s Diggers Cup winner, Hard Landing – raced by a local syndicate which includes South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff – didn’t try to defend its title, instead taking out a $12,500 win in Race 4 at Toowoomba on Sunday.

Diggers Club Cup winning trainer Rodney Hay was presented with his winner’s trophy by Wondai RSL Sub-branch Deputy president Captain Wally Knight (r’td)

Sue Hohnke, from Kyogle in NSW, with Liz Livingstone, from Wondai

Bayden and Kayley Collins and Ben Weier, all from Kingaroy; with Jess Bond, Wondai

South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff was having an arresting time at the races with, from left, Constable Hayden Barrett (Cherbourg Station), Constable Hamish Wyatt (Murgon), Constable Matthew Ash (Murgon) and Wondai officer-in-charge Sergeant Shane Robertson … Mayor Duff also compered the Fashions of the Field competition

Dr Neville Braithwaite, Kingaroy; Taylah O’Toole, Kingaroy; Lachlan Schloss, Kingaroy; Mitchell Goslow, Beerburrum; and Wally Knight, Wondai

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Fashions Of The Field

South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff compered the popular Fashions competition which was held between Races 4 and 5.

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington sashed the winners who were selected by judges Aliesha Johnston (GH Clothing, Murgon) and Ashley Bartlett-Kennedy (Omen Tattoo, Wondai).

Deb Frecklington with Best Dressed Woman, Rhianon Watkins, from Murgon

Best Dressed Girl … June Colley, 8, Murgon

Best Dressed Gentleman … Alan McPhee, Wondai

Judges Aliesha Johnston and Ashley Bartlett-Kennedy

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Race Results

Trainer Rodney Hay with Wondai Diggers Club Cup winner Ablett, Mitch Pogan and jockey Chloe Lowe

Trainer Jason Edwards with Race 5 winner Summer Star, Faith and Robyn Elliott and race sponsor Deb Frecklington MP

Race 1 – Parker’s Plumbing & Gasfit Benchmark 50 Handicap (1000m)
1. Paper Cowboy (3) – Chelsea Francis
2. Johnny Utah (1) – Chloe Lowe
3. Luminous Waters (6) – Jade Metcalfe
Time: 0:59.31
Margins: 3 1/4 lengths x 1 3/4 lengths

Race 2 – Wondai Diggers Club Cup Class 4 Handicap (1000m)
1. Ablett (2) – Chloe Lowe
2. Braidwood Queen (6) – Perrie Carter
3. Zena Boy (1) – Jade Metcalfe
Time: 0:59.01
Margins: 1 length x 1 1/4 lengths

Race 3 – Ken Mills Machinery Kingaroy Benchmark 55 Handicap (850m)
1. Jain (3) – Kelly Gates
2. Igbo (6) – Montanna Savva
3. SeeYou Later (7) – Perrie Carter
Time: 0:50.59
Margins: 1 1/2 lengths x 2 lengths

Race 4 – The Norm Andresen Memorial QTIS Maiden Plate (850m)
1. Costa Catori (1) – Chloe Lowe
2. Leucaena (9) – Adam Spinks
3. Alvitar (7) – Chris Taylor
Time: 0:50.99
Margins: 1 1/2 lengths x 1/2 head

Race 5 – Deb Frecklington MP Benchmark 50 Handicap (1577m)
1. Summer Star (9) – Corey Bayliss
2. Kasear (10) – Perrie Carter
3. Barclay’s Bank (2) – Jade Metcalfe
Time: 1:38.74
Margins: 4 3/4 lengths x 2 1/2 lengths