Fashions In Style At Nanango

Catherine and Paul Johnston, from New Farm, and Sandy Holmes, also from Brisbane, were turning heads on the track

September 17, 2025

Nanango Race Club again faced strong competition from other local events on Saturday, especially the popular Avocado Festival just down the road at Blackbutt.

However, attendees enjoyed a good day of Spring racing and the new-style Fashions Of The Field competition attracted some very glamorous entries to the stage.

The betting ring and bar was busy, as was the undercover area.

Out on the track, everything went smoothly … especially for apprentice jockey Reece O’Connell, 25, son of veteran jockey Wayne O’Connell.

It was a momentous day for Reece who achieved the amazing feat of riding three winners on debut!

He also appeared chuffed after beating his father into second place in Race 3.

However, it was a sad day for two other local families.

Race 2 was dedicated to the memory of Riley Wilson, 21, who died in a traffic crash near Nanango in September 2023; and Chris Schloss, 48, who was killed in a mining accident in Central Queensland in August 2024.

It was an emotional moment for members of the men’s families who presented a rug to the connections of winner, The Louvre.

Friends and relatives of Chris Schloss and Riley Wilson – helped by Nanango Race Club committee member Zac Dennien, at right, – presented a rug to the connections of Race 2 winner The Louvre

Enjoying a day at the races were Tim and Morgan Clark, from Yarraman; Phoebe Millar, Kingaroy; Makayla Miles, Kingaroy; and Dayna Frohloff, Mt Isa

Chanelle and Jacqueline Ferling, from Kilcoy

Imna Patterson, from Nanango; and Julie Foley, Yarraman

Kingaroy Rotary members were kept busy at the bar … Bev Watter and Dave Tierney

Jenny Morgan, from Nanango, with South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff … Mayor Duff’s horse, Hard Landing, which she owns as part of a syndicate of family and friends, came in second in Race 4

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Fashions Of The Field

Nanango Race Club’s fashions competition has reached new heights, with an exciting racing backdrop mounted behind the raised stage.

South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff sashed the winners and runners-up of the various competitions.

The Classic Lady competitors posed and twirled for the judges on the stage beside the grandstand

South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff with Classic Lady runner-up Barbara Johnston and winner Chanelle Ferling

Contemporary Lady winner Rebecca Jane and runner-up Sandy Holmes

Millinery runner-up Catherine Johnston and winner Chanelle Ferling

Local Ladies runner-up Carol Gray and winner Holly Collier

Best Dressed Gentleman runner-up Paul Johnston and winner Thomas Thompson

The Fashions Of The Field judges were carefully studying the entrants as they paraded on stage

* * *

Race Results

Apprentice jockey Reece O’Connell leads the field home in Race 4 to record his third win for the day on debut

Race 1 – Nanango Homemakers Maiden Plate (1000m)
1. Bon Is Good (6) – Reece O’Connell
2. Yonaka (5) – Nathan Thomas
3. Truck Stop Honey (8) – Chloe Lowe
Time: 0:58.71
Margins: 1/2 length x short head

Race 2 – Riley Wilson / Chris Schloss Memorial / Heritage Bank QTIS Class 3 Plate (1000m)
1. The Louvre (2) – Jade Metcalfe
2. Goose Step (7) – Chloe Lowe
3. Yes I’m Ugly (3) – Kenji Yoshida
Time: 0:58.68
Margins: Head x 1 1/4 lengths

Race 3 – Clear Mountain Fairview Ratings Band 0-50 Handicap (1200m)
1. Xuanfeng (2) – Reece O’Connell
2. Party Prophet (6) – Wayne O’Connell
3. Miss Dramatic (5) – Kenji Yoshida
Time: 1:11.78
Margins: Short neck x 3/4 length

Race 4 – The Nanango Show Society Open Handicap (1200m)
1. Depth Charge (5) – Reece O’Connell
2. Hard Landing (4) – Colleen Krahnen
3. Skyforger (1) – Chloe Lowe
Time: 1:10.32
Margins: 1 1/2 lengths x short neck

Race 5 – Martoo Mile Benchmark 55 Handicap (1600m)
1. Proponent (3) – Kenji Yoshida
2. Orca (8) – Jade Metcalfe
3. Aces Up (5) – Stephanie Tierney
Time: 1:35.07 (new class record)
Margins: Length x neck