Toasting Tradition At Burrandowan

Sunshine Coast visitors Megan Lawson and Sandy Bourke were enjoying the day at Burrandowan

May 15, 2025

Tradition is important at the annual Burrandowan Picnic Races … from the glasses of bubbly to the magnificent frocks and millinery on display.

Then there’s the shotgun shoots on Friday night and Saturday morning, and the raging pit-fire barbecues after the races have wrapped up.

Racegoers have been turning out in all their finery to have fun at Burrandowan Picnic Races for more than a century.

Of course, the racing is important (see the results, below) but many people are just as keen on the social side … more than a few local couples can trace their relationships back to Burrandowan!

The Fashions of the Field competition always attracts a huge crowd of fans who yell out encouragement as their favourites twirl on stage.

It was also as an eventful day out on the track for punters although only one favourite fronted the judge.

Narrow finishes were the order of the day, with just the winner of the Burrandowan Cup, Martini Dancer, romping away to an easy win.

Correct weight in Race 1 was delayed while stewards considered two protests, fifth placegetter Sapana’s Pearl against 2nd and 3rd placegetters, and fourth-placed Craiglea Bronte against 2nd.

After much deliberation, both protests were dismissed but the long delay pushed back the start of later races.

Local jockey Hannah Phillips with former jockey, Cr Deb Dennien … Hannah only had one ride at Burrandowan

Working hard at the bar were Trish Oppermann, Caterina Hemmings, Jodie Love and Chantelle Whiteman

Sue McLeod, Brisbane; Catherine Johnston, Cooroy; Jan Bulman, Warwick; Julie Thomas, Toowoomba; and Barbara Thompson, Cooyar

Looking happy after the win by The Shaman in Race 2 were Rose Eley, Halle Grimes and Amarly Bishop, 6

Wooroolin and Kingaroy Lions Club members were serving up the hot food

Liz Hayward, from the South Burnett Community Orchestra, played the fanfare ahead of the start of each race

South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff presented her traditional silver bracelet to the winning jockey of the Burrandowan Cup, Kenji Yoshida

The crowd was as large as ever at the 2025 Burrandowan Picnic Races

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Fashions Of The Field

Burrandowan’s Fashions of the Field competition is always hotly contested with entrants travelling from all over south-east Queensland to take part.

An added incentive this year was the opportunity for two winners to take part in a fashions competition later this month at Eagle Farm racecourse in Brisbane.

The judges had a tough time with several of the categories having several heats.

The competition was held on a special stage away from the racing action and squeezed in between Races 3 and 4 .

Best Dressed Gentleman winner John Chamley and Best Dressed Classic Lady winner Peri Cardiff will be competing at the Fashions From Afar competition at Eagle Farm on June 28

Best Dressed Gentleman … winner John Chamley, Caloundra; and runner-up Robert McDonald, Dalby

Best Dressed Couple … runners-up Bree Cropp and Jesse Chilcott, Kingaroy; and winners Catherine and Paul Johnston, Cooroy

Best Dressed Contemporary Lady winner Caylen Tunstall, Kingaroy; and runner-up Emily Pullen, Toowoomba

Best Dressed Classic Lady winner Peri Cardiff, Toowoomba; runner-up Sue McLeod, Brisbane; Best Millinery runner-up Jan Bulmer and winner Toni-Ann Barnett, Caloundra

Fashions of the Field compere Caitlin Crowley

South Burnett mayor Kathy Duff hams it up for the crowd in a heat of the Best Dressed Contemporary Lady competition

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Race Results

The tight finish to Race 1 … two protests lodged after the event were both dismissed by the stewards

Race 1 – RES QTIS Class B Handicap (Seilers Transport / Jim’s Jerky) (1050m)
1. Hvardance (10) – Chris Whiteley
2. Idhana (4) – Shakira Bailey
3. Friday’s Jet (13) – Rhiannon Payne
Time: 1:00.29
Margins: Short neck x short head

Race 2 – Combined Business Houses Of The South Burnett Benchmark 55 Handicap (1050m)
1. The Shaman (2) – Kayla Johnston
2. Quarter Red (11) – Chloe Lowe
3. Zena Boy (3) – Shakira Bailey
Time: 1:00.61
Margins: Long neck x 1 1/2 lengths

Race 3 – Suzy Rackemann Memorial Maiden Plate (Oz Value Ag Machinery) (1175m)
1. Great Angles (11) – Kenji Yoshida
2. Craiglea Oreo (1) – Gabrielle Semmens
3. El Quinto (8) – Landan Sykes
Time: 1:10.58
Margins: Nose x nose

Race 4 – Kewpie Stockfeeds 2025 Battle Of The Bush Burrandowan Qualifier Open Plate (1175m)
1. Peshwa (7) – Chris Whiteley
2. Jack Be Lucky (3) – Landan Sykes
3. Galeka (9) – Jade Metcalfe
Time: 1:09.05
Margins: 1 length x 3/4 length

Race 5 – Kellco Livestock Agents Burrandowan Cup Benchmark 55 Handicap (1740m)
1. Martini Dancer (10) – Kenji Yoshida
2. Optimus Maximus (6) – Julie Busuttin
3. Buddy’s Tale (11) – Shakira Bailey
Time: 1:48.62
Margins: 4 1/2 lengths x 1 1/2 lengths