April 24, 2026
The South Burnett Race Club’s prime program of the year, the Anzac Day Races on Saturday at Wondai, looks set to be a great day.
On the action side … there are absorbing challenges in sorting out the form in several contests.
On the social side … the trackside marquees have sold out, Poppies and Pearls is the day’s apt fashion theme, and community involvement is very strong.
As well as the race-name sponsors, other supporters include the Tarong Power Station / Meandu Mine, Parker’s Plumbing and Gasfit, Pratt Agencies (for Fashions on the Field) and TB Custom Welding and Fabrication.
Also on board are Craig Yarrow and Chris Delisser. The duo are the proprietors of the Wondai Post Office. Successful punters on Saturday could easily spend some of their winnings on a range of eye-catching Mother’s Day gifts at their main street premises!
* * *
Racing Pointers For Beginners
Wondai is a sand course, so consider gallopers with established records.
Keep in mind that the candidates trained at the track by Kym Afford, Bob Black, Kristen Wenck and Debra Corbett already have experience around the circuit.
Although there are differences in the sand texture, horses with form at Gympie come into the reckoning.
Importantly, some first-timers resent the kickback and can be quickly out of contention. Accordingly, riders often steer a wide course.
* * *
A Glimpse At The Card
Proceedings open up at 1:30pm with the Ken Mills Machinery Kingaroy Ratings Band 0-55 Handicap over 1100 metres.
Having shed its maiden tag at the corresponding fixture last year, Costa Catori stands unbowed at this track.
Great Angles has recorded two minor placings at her only appearances here, while Above The World’s three tries have been fruitless.
The Wondai RSL Sub-Branch Diggers Cup (1000m, 2:05pm) is a conundrum.
The top-weight, Este Dia, has won five of his last six tasks, mainly on the grass. The run did include a Roma sand victory. The ex-Victorian performer has coped with heavy weights and is likely to be the favourite.
However, Ablett has the ideal two-from-two at Wondai plus five successful sorties to Roma.
Gitalong, a $220,000 yearling with earnings of $275,000, had stints in the south in the hands of the Hawkes and Hayes teams. The Zoustar gelding’s only outings in Queensland have been at Roma. The first effort produced an encouraging second prize but the early April engagement returned a very distant third of five.
Diggity, a last start Gympie hero in November, is resuming after a break. The veteran has a 6:1-2-1 career line at home at Wondai so this ten-year-old cannot be dismissed. Sutherland scored at its only opportunity here.
The rest are first timers but Gold Revolution races well at Gympie.
Incidentally, the 1963 Annual Report of the Queensland TAB indicated that there were 23 individual Diggers or Returned Soldiers Race Clubs operating in the State. Of the five survivors, the Cunnamulla club is the only one to conduct Anzac Day meetings. Wandoan, Surat, Quilpie and Maranoa (at Mitchell) stage their annual fixtures during other months.
The Norm Andresen Memorial QTIS Maiden Plate (1000m, 2:40pm) pays tribute to a popular figure in the local equine world. He was a long-serving official who checked riders weights at the scales. Norm loved a chat.
Form is irrelevant in the handicapping in Plate events. The only criteria used in the template is the thoroughbred’s age and gender.
As none of the acceptors have been to Wondai, it is a lottery.
You could run your eye over the hopefuls in the parade and have a dollar on the one that winks at you. Kym Afford’s charges, Set For Life and Joyful Conquest, have been placed on the sand at Gympie and Bundaberg respectively.
The Deb Frecklington MP BM 55 Handicap (850m, 3:10pm) should be a cracker.
Only Duchess of Argyle and Rocky Blonde are bereft of key credentials. The latter is a daughter of Liverpool Jane, a grand mare raced by Lindsay and Jodie Anderson.
Jain is a true-blue local. The pocket dynamo, trained by Kristen Wenck for an ownership dominated by her family, has chalked up an enviable 6:3-1-1 on her home ground. Kelly Gates, the partner for 22 of the mare’s 41 essays, will be aboard again.
Paper Cowboy has won tidily at both his Wondai chores. He is prepared by Trevor Thomas, the Sunshine Coast horseman who saddled up a recent treble at Gympie. Igbo, a 10-year-old like his stablemate Diggity, has a seven for 1-2-1 history here.
Kym Afford’s charge, Amphawa, has finished second at all three attempts while Paballo’s only Wondai start yielded a runner-up cheque. He is resuming but has a poor first up record.
The Crumpton’s Lest We Forget BM 50 (1577m, 3.45 pm) brings down the curtain.
Connections of Barclay’s Bank will be hoping for a case of third time lucky. The More Than Ready gelding has been a Wondai placegetter on Anzac Day in 2024 and 2025.
Following a spell, the bay ran third at Roma in late March and the distance is within his range.
Mekanik, Rapid Dude and Pauli have handled the Gympie set up while Great Angles is a dual acceptor and has been referred to above.
* * *
What’s In A Name
Here is some oil for the racegoers who simply have fun by following omens.
La Suerte could be a fortunate pick. It is the Spanish term for luck!
Movie buffs could punt on Kickamushu or Master Miyagi in Race 1. Mushu is a little Chinese dragon in Disney’s Mulan series, while Master Miyagi is a character in The Karate Kid movies.
Finally, Mamaragan is one of the best-titled conveyances. He is the Lightning Man in Dreamtime stories who rides storm clouds and creates thunder. Wandjina, this horse’s sire, is named after important Dreamtime spirits linked to the Kimberleys.
* * *
Reminders
There are no ATMs. Adult entry is inexpensive at just $10. BYO drinks are not permitted. Do relish the day. Viel Gluck!
See you trackside!
