October 17, 2025
Fittingly, with the Monica Ryan-Kathleen Hoult Memorial contest on Saturday’s South Burnett Race Club card, the fairer sex outnumber the men by six to two in the jockey line-up.
The sisters Monica and Kathleen were members of a valued, dyed-in-the-wool local “equine” clan. This weekend’s renewal pays tribute and is a chance to recall their enthusiasm and talent with horses.
On March 24, 1990, at Wondai, Monica’s quadrella and hits by Debbie Osborne, Jo Downes and Jenny Cochrane enabled their gender to chalk up all seven victories.
In 2018, Monica donated a wonderful perpetual trophy to annually mark the historic occasion.
Her close friend, the former jockey Marita Babb, was on hand to share the joy with Cecily Eaton, the successful rider in the inaugural race.
Kathleen Hoult (nee Ryan) had long involvements in various sectors of the world of horses.
Queenslanders have figured in a variety of ground-breaking feats with respect to Australian women’s progress in the saddle.
In late May 1979, Brisbane’s resolute, pioneering activist Pam O’Neill got her just reward when she landed trebles at the Gold Coast on both of her first two outings with an Australian licence to compete professionally against the men.
Rockhampton was the venue when female jockeys first piloted all the winners at an Australian TAB meeting on January 19, 2010.
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A Well-Timed Burst
Last Saturday at Gayndah, it was five from five for the ladies with Stephanie Tierney claiming a treble with Kayla Johnston and Kayla Barker completing the sweep for three kilogram claimers.
New Zealand-born Tierney, who is indentured to Stuart Kendrick at Caloundra, kicked off her Queensland apprenticeship on July 26 in ideal style with a double on Hot Flamingo and Maximum Output at Bundaberg for her master. All up, in the Sunshine State, her current tally stands at eight wins from just 34 engagements.
She was initially engaged in dairy farming in her homeland before heading to Western Australia at age 20. During her stint there as an amateur rider, she prevailed at Landor on Young Milfred in October 2008. The handicap weight was 71.5kg.
French Wish, one of her recent Gayndah winners, carried only 53kg.
Following a move back to New Zealand, Tierney worked in a pre-training business before becoming a licensed trainer.
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Local Trainer’s Comeback
Lindsay Anderson, the Hivesville cattleman with a deserved reputation of sustaining an admirable strike rate with a small set of thoroughbreds, will make a welcome return when he saddles up.
Brilliant Eight (NZ) is in the South Burnett Real Estate QTIS Maiden Plate (1000m), an event for which weights are determined not on form, but on the age and gender of the entrant.
The most recent starter to sport his polish was Fend Off at the Sunshine Coast on July 17, 2022.
Key flagbearers for his yard over the years have been Glenthorn Avenue, his 2018 Wondai Cup hero Clouds, Kentford and Liverpool Jane.
Brilliant Eight, a well-bred chestnut by Ocean Park, began his career with 13 unplaced results at Happy Valley and Shatin in 2022-23.
The gelding was off the scene throughout 2024.
Earlier this year, Brilliant Eight enjoyed three placings from six chores for Smiley Chan’s Pakenham establishment.
Anderson is applying bandages to his new hopeful that was on-pace in Victoria.
Lindsay was not lost to racing during his break . He played a part as vice-president of the South Burnett Race Club.
Speaking of trainers, Kym Afford, whose string utilises the Wondai track, is relishing a pleasing trot at the moment.
The Kilkivan horseman’s starters since early last month have collected seven first prizes.
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Key Form Pointers
Racing’s mantra about horses for courses can be useful at Wondai.
It is a small sand track with a downhill run in the back stretch and a testing incline in the straight.
First timers often resent the kickback if they are behind other gallopers.
Jockeys often opt for travel out wide to avoid the problem.
The form guide reveals a few specialists to check out.
Jain, prepared on the course by Kristen Wenck, has registered two wins, a second and a third over the 850 metres trip of the Wondai Post Office Benchmark 60 Handicap. The Drumbeats mare from Sammi Jain scored over 1000 metres at her only other appearance at home.
Summer Star, a candidate in the Monica Ryan-Kathleen Memorial (1577m) has a 4:3-0-0 record at Wondai over the trip. The bay, by Going Fine, likes to power up the home stretch.
In the $16,000 Roy & Glenis Radunz Open Cup (1577m), Master Drumer may appear to be out of form but he has a 2:1-1-0 statistic for the course and distance.
The Rockhampton visitor Take The Lead was runner-up over 1577 metres at its only Wondai appearance.
The veteran Igbo (6:1-2-1) and Paper Cowboy (1:1-0-0) have prevailed on Saturday’s circuit while Amphawa, Late Night Devil, Great Angles and Johnny Utah have been placegetters.
The opener, the Across Country Real Estate Burnett BM 50 (1100m), is a heat of the Burnett to the Beach Series. This offering used to be based on points scored across seven South East country venues. This time it has six qualifying legs with a final boasting a total purse of $20,000.
The first round at Gayndah was taken out by the Toowoomba galloper Bee Two for former South Burnett trainer Glenn Richardson.
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Reminders
- Sky Racing is shown on screens at Wondai. Melbourne’s Caulfield Cup and Sydney’s The Everest will be prime-time viewing.
- Entry is a mere $10.
- There is NO EFTPOS facility on course.
- The fashion theme is BRIGHT and BOLD.
- Race 1 is scheduled for 1:35pm. The last is timed to jump at 4:05 pm.
- Looking forward to a great day. Remarkably, competing horses will travel from as far away as Barcaldine, Rockhampton, Beaudesert and Roma.
