May 7, 2026
The “must do” tip for Burrandowan Picnic Races is that all patrons, particularly newcomers, should explore the Race Club’s highly comprehensive website before Saturday’s meeting.
The Home page display links to three social media avenues plus a satellite version of a map that allows you to zoom in and note the track is akin to a tear drop in shape.
The Photo Gallery, brilliantly compiled by John Dalton, takes you on a magnificent tasting tour of the day and night happenings
Tickets is the mechanism for online purchases; Getting Here covers the various routes and transport choices; Sponsors shows the depth of community backing while Race Day embraces Fashions On The Field, Eats & Treats, Frequently Asked Questions and Merchandise.
Accommodation details aspects of the on-site bush camping. Saturday night is free. A wide range of establishments across the South Burnett region are also described.
About Us tells part of the fascinating life of the Burrandowan Picnic Race Club, a body that put together a long and absorbing chapter in the amateur era.
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Race Guide
The 2026 Burrandowan is harder than usual but here are some pointers to assist with finding winners.
Firstly, the barrier data for the last three years is a tad surprising.
Nine winners came from Gates 1 to 5 with six delivering from further out. Two jumped from the inside while three drew marble 10.
Secondly, as racing is conducted at Burrandowan only once a year, there is not a bank of gallopers with strong positive records at this course. Only five acceptors have previously competed at the track.
Barclay’s Bank’s two runs have registered a victory over Saturday’s distance and one unplaced effort while its stablemate Zena Boy picked up third money at his only attempt. Their veteran Jandowae-based trainer Geoffrey Schrader certainly knows what it takes to score at Burrandowan.
Great Angles won her maiden here last year. She is trying to maintain her undefeated status but is the fifth reserve in her contest.
Her trainer Amanda Park saddles up Kneze, the gelding by Dissident that was not disgraced when out of the money at his only start here.
Adam Spinks should get a neat run from the inside gate in the Cup. The course was the Oakey conditioner’s happy hunting ground in 2025 when Martini Dancer put her best foot forward in the Cup to complete a stable double.
Diggity is a sentimental favourite. After 11 Victorian assignments, the chestnut was prepared at Burrandowan by Tom Moloney. After 56 essays for a 10-13-9 yield, his part-owner Bob Black put the polish on when his great mate and fellow Burrandowan Picnic Race Club stalwart took ill.
Racing Australia’s detailed form for the race program is accessible via this Full Fields article.
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The races on Saturday carry a tribute to the horsemen-come-administrators, Tom Moloney and Brian Lenihan.
The dual towers of strength in the Burnett passed away last year.
Both had ridden from an early age with Tom having his brothers Dan and Patrick among his rivals in the saddle.
Back in their youthful period, Lenihan landed a Burrandowan Cup as a gentleman rider on Translipper for a rookie in Pat Duff. While Brian’s major energies were expended for the Kumbia Race Club with around three decades in the Chair, his contribution to the Burrandowan Picnic Race Club was acknowledged with the awarding of a Life Membership in 2015.
The deep involvements of generations of the Moloney and Lenihan clans is indicative of a pattern that applies in many current rural racing communities.
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A glowing example of the tradition has been sustained by South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff.
Her grandfather John Patrick Duff wanted to take out an event on the inaugural 1922 card at Burrandowan. Candidates for the Ladies Bracelet had to be nominated by a female. He had his eye on Dorothea (Billie) Evans for that role with his hopeful Thunderclap. She agreed, the horse won and the couple wed in 1926.
Kathy creates and presents a jewellery item for the Cup-winning jockey each year. The 2019 hero Joshua Morrow couldn’t believe his luck when he booted home his first career winner, The Hammer, at his 30th try.
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- With Mother’s Day looming, a late gift could be a copy of “100 Years of Racing at Burrandowan” by Dr Judith Grimes OAM. The definitive, forensically researched volume is chockful of photographs. It can be checked out at the merchandise shop on the Hall verandah near the Chahpingah Café.
- When it comes to the riding ranks, Paul Hamblin is an ultra-experienced horseman on the flat and over the jumps in Australia and abroad. He has plied is trade on all manner of tracks. Another with plenty of knowledge about Burrandowan is Kelly Gates. She returns after being slightly injured in a barrier mishap at Wondai on Anzac Day.
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I’m looking forward to being in the “home among the gum trees” racing environment on Saturday!
