April 26, 2026
The South Burnett Race Club’s annual Anzac Day Races at Wondai always attract a big crowd on the public holiday, with attendees keen to unwind after morning commemorations around the region.
And with Anzac Day falling on a Saturday this year, the crowd was bigger than ever!
A few scuds of rain earlier in the day didn’t dampen the enthusiasm and all five races went ahead as planned with some very tight finishes.
The Fashions of the Field competition (see below) was also keenly supported.
Out on the track, the start of Race 2 – the Wondai Diggers Cup – was a tad chaotic with four of the five runners having rocky starts.
Gold Revolution was the most dramatic, rearing as the barriers opened and tossing jockey Kelly Gates from the saddle.
Gates was examined by ambulance paramedics at the track and was forced to withdraw from her final three races due to an arm injury. As there were no replacement jockeys available, her mounts in the remaining three races were scratched.
Gold Revolution raced keenly by himself for the rest of the race before being caught by track officials.
A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding failed to reveal any apparent problems but he will have to pass a barrier trial before he can race again.
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Fashions Of The Field
Fashions of the Field is always very popular at Wondai, and Anzac Day was no exception with many entrants dressing to the theme of “Poppies and Pearls”.
South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff compered the parades while judges Amy Hutfield and Riley Cavanagh made the difficult decision of deciding the winners!
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Race Results
Race 1 – Ken Mills Machinery Kingaroy Ratings Band 0 – 50 Handicap (1100m)
1. She’s A Revelation (10) – Wayne O’Connell
2. Master Miyagi (3) – Adam Spinks
3. Costa Catori (1) – Chris Meehan
Time: 1:07.55
Margins: Short neck x 1 1/2 lengths
Race 2 – Wondai Diggers Cup Open Handicap (1000m)
1. Mamaragan (5) – Emma Simsir
2. Zena Boy (4) – Wayne O’Connell
3. Diggity (7) – Chris Meehan
Time: 1:00.31
Margins: Short head x 5 3/4 lengths
Race 3 – The Norm Andresen Memorial QTIS Maiden Plate (1000m)
1. Extra Hands (6) – Wayne O’Connell
2. The Hindustan (3) – Courtney Ferris
3. Foxtrotting (4) – Adam Spinks
Time: 1:01.18
Margins: 1/2 length x 3 3/4 lengths
Race 4 – Deb Frecklington MP Benchmark 55 Handicap (850m)
1. Paper Cowboy (4) – Nathan Thomas
2. Sutherland (1) – Courtney Ferris
3. Rocky Blonde (5) – Emma Simsir
Time: 51.56
Margins: 2 lengths x 1/2 head
Race 5 – Crumpton’s Lest We Forget Benchmark 50 Handicap (1577m)
1. Rapid Dude (4) – Nathan Thomas
2. Pauli (9) – Chris Meehan
3. Khant Fail (5) – Courtney Ferris
Time: 1:38.99
Margins: 5 1/2 lengths x 1 1/4 lengths
