Festive Fun At Nanango Races

A bunch of colleagues from the Crows Nest Children’s Centre got together to enjoy a day at the races … from left, Michelle Fitch, Suzanne Rossi, Kerry Bell, Myola Rott and Loretta Morice; the gentleman in the photo, who joined in for a laugh, is Greg Lewis, from Kingaroy

December 19, 2025

A huge crowd turned out at Nanango’s Lee Park track on Saturday to enjoy the race club’s festive Christmas Races.

There were marquees everywhere, with more than 40 tables hosting guests.

The betting ring was kept busy as well as the bar and canteen

The Fashions of the Field competition (see below) was as popular as ever, taking two race breaks to judge.

Out on the track, the racing was very competitive with a number of close finishes, including the Burnett To The Beach Final which had a total of $20,000 in prize money, including $13,700 for the winner.

Jockey Kayla Johnston thanks Mimmy’s Secret for the winning ride in the Burnett to the Beach Final

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Fashions Of The Field

It often seems the fashions competitions are more hotly contested than the on-track racing!

The Christmas Races fashions fields were marshalled by Cr Deb Dennien and Dellese Heit and judged by Amanda Herron.

Junior Fashions of the Field runner-up and winner (Photo: Denise Keelan)

Gentleman’s Fashion of the Field winner Riley Cavanagh, from Kumbia; runner-up was Tom Thompson, Cooyar

Cr Deb Dennien with Local Lady runner-up Christy McKay, Booie; and winner Carly Ferling, Kingaroy

Cr Dennien, Dellese Heit and Contemporary Lady winner Peri Cardiff, Toowoomba; and runner-up Barbara Thompson, Cooyar

Classic Lady runner-up Julie Cardiff, Toowoomba; and winner Alana Hogan, Gympie

Millinery runner-up Peri Cardiff, Toowoomba, and winner Rebecca Jane, Gympie

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Race Results

Mimmy’s Secret (Kayla Johnston) leads the field home in Race 4

Race 1 – Les & Thelma Pedersen Memorial Maiden Plate – sponsored by Nanango Services Club (1000m)
1. Higher Calling (4) – Kenji Yoshida
2. Bubbly Moon (2) – Stephanie Tierney
3. Shaken Martini (5) – Montanna Sawa
Time: 0:58.96
Margins: 1/2 length x 3 3/4 lengths

Race 2 – Nanango Medical Centre Benchmark 50 Handicap (1000m)
1. No Better Affaire (6) – Julie Busuttin
2. Mr Evans (3) – Shakira Bailey
3. Stop The Rot (13) – Isabel Jessop
Time: 0:58.76
Margins: 5 lengths x 3/4 length

Race 3 – Nanango Medical Centre Open Plate (1000m)
1. Jack Be Lucky (4) – Reece O’Connell
2. Jain (5) – Kelly Gates
3. Holiday Dreams (2) – Stephanie Tierney
Time: 0:58.80
Margins: 3/4 length x neck

Race 4 – Nanango Services Club Burnett To The Beach Final – Benchmark 55 Handicap (1200m)
1. Mimmy’s Secret (2) – Kayla Johnston
2. Rocky Blonde (4) – Stephanie Tierney
3. Reebar (9) – Nathan Thomas
Time: 1:10.20
Margins: 1/2 length x neck

Race 5 – Alpine Edge QTIS Benchmark 50 Handicap – sponsored by Clear Mountain Fairview (1600m)
1. Forebears (6) – Brea Harrison
2. Linda’s Magic (11) – Morgan Butler
3. Goin’ Skitz (14) – Shakira Bailey
Time: 1:35.07
Margins: 1/2 length x neck