November 5, 2025
Racing was almost the secondary thing on most people’s minds at Tuesday’s “Flemington In The Bush” race meeting at Kumbia.
Firstly, there was the visit by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, then there was the apparent filming of segments for a reality TV show and finally, of course, was the hotly contested Fashions of the Field competition.
Premier Crisafulli was accompanied by his wife Tegan and Attorney-General Deb Frecklington and her husband Jason.
Security appeared to have been beefed up at the track for the Premier’s visit, with both plain clothes and uniform police trackside.
Coolabunia dairy farmer Jason Tessmann, a contestant in next year’s Channel 7 show “Farmer Wants A Wife”, is a regular at the Kumbia Races but this year brought along an entourage that included cameramen, sound people and two women … Logan and Poppy (are they also contestants on the show?).
Jason took part in the Fashions competition in the Best Dressed Couples category with two entries: Jason and Logan, and Jason and Poppy. The two couples came equal third which caused some sashing problems for South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff …
Out on the track, the racing went more smoothly.
Race 4 was run in memory of departed members of the Lenihan, Smoothy, McConville and Moloney families – all names closely connected to racing in Kumbia.
Former club presidents Tom Moloney and Brian Lenihan both died earlier this year after decades of service to local racing.
The feature race of the day, the Huston Motors Kumbia Cup, had just seven starters after seven entrants were scratched.
Jockey Rebecca Wilson was dislodged after the turn from four-year-old gelding Rothfury, but was uninjured.
Rothfury finished the race riderless, and then proved a handful for race officials to catch.
Cup winner Tijuana Two-Step, trained in Toowoomba by Don Baker, has qualified to take part in the $200,000 Country Cups Challenge which will be raced at Doomben on December 6.
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Fashions Of The Field
The Fashions of the Field competition was compered by former Miss Universe Australia finalist – and former Kingaroy State High School student – Asha Cooper.
Judges were Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Catherine Clark, Deputy Commissioner Chantal Raine and Dan Homewood, from Coolum.
NB. Judging of the Fashions competitions were squeezed between races and unfortunately the judging of the Most Stylish Goddess (Under 50) clashed with a race start. Winners were Rebecca Jane, Gympie (1st), Jacqueline Ferling, Kilcoy (2nd) and Shae Cull (3rd), Kingaroy.
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Race Results
Race 1 – Powersafe Kingaroy Benchmark 50 Handicap (1000m)
1. Hey Pumpkin (6) – Chloe Lowe
2. Duchess of Argyll (4) – Jade Metcalfe
3. Goose Step (2) – Les Tilley
Time: 0:56.88
Margins: 3 lengths x neck
Race 2 – Deb Frecklington MP / Raine & Horne Kingaroy Benchmark 60 Handicap (1200m
1. Scarlett Thunder (10) – Rebecca Wilson
2. Might Judd (12) – Les Tilley
3. Mr Wandji (5) – Nathan Fazackerley
Time: 1:10.22
Margins: 2 lengths x 1 1/2 lengths
Race 3 – Kingaroy Quarry Supplies QTIS Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Standlee (1) – Nathan Fazackerley
2. Vizstar (2) – Corey Bayliss
3. Superior Fun (5) – Brea Harrison
Time: 1:11.38
Margins: 2 lengths x 2 lengths
Race 4 – Memorial For Lenihan, Smoothy, McConville & Moloney Families Ratings Band 0-50 Handicap (1400m)
1. Bugden (4) – Corey Bayliss
2. Black Country (2) – Jade Metcalfe
3. Miss Adrenalin (7) – Courtney Ferris
Time: 1:24.07
Margins: 3/4 length x 1/2 length
Race 5 – Huston Motors Kumbia Cup / Country Cups Challenge Qualifier Open Handicap (1400m)
1. Tijuana Two-Step (6) – Brea Harrison
2. Kiptanui (8) – Kelsey Lenton
3. Ariat (10) – Courtney Ferris
Time: 1:22.08
Margins: 3 3/4 lengths x neck
