November 4, 2026
Thunderstorms overnight – and morning rain in nearby towns – possibly scared away some racegoers from Kumbia’s annual Melbourne Cup Day race meeting on Tuesday.
This was a pity as the punters who stayed away missed out on the bright blue skies and warm temperatures plus a perfectly prepared track which ensured quick race times.
But the weather wasn’t totally forgotten … everyone could see the towering clouds in the distance.
When the wind started to pick up after Race 3, stewards decided to bring the race times forward to ensure all events on the six-race card could go ahead without interruption.
This created a minor clash with the Fashions Of The Field competition, which simply paused briefly for Race 4.
The only other hiccup on the day was a small fire which broke out in a skip bin at the rear of the clubhouse building; smoke drifted across the betting ring but the flames were extinguished quickly without incident.
The annual Kumbia Cup – won this year by Hannah Richardson aboard Ariat – is usually the main feature of the annual “Flemington In The Bush” meeting, but this year there were also two other events which attracted top runners.
Race 2 was a rescheduled Country Stampede Qualifier, after its original race date was washed out.
Five-year-old stallion Mississippi Morn was going for his seventh win on the trot, but came home fifth after drifting under pressure in the straight.
The winner, six-year-old gelding Medals – which set a track record for the win – was unfortunately not eligible for the final at Doomben on December 5 as it has not had sufficient country starts.
Neither did second-placed Shows A Sign or third-placed Astapor, which means the Doomben honour will probably go to fourth-placed Ablett.
Gympie trainer Trevor Thomas took out the Burnett to the Beach series qualifier with Reebar.
The $20,000 final of this seven-heat series will be raced over 1200m at Nanango on December 12.
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Fashions Of The Field
The Fashions Of The Field competitions, sponsored by the Carrollee Hotel, were hotly contested.
Compere Mayor Kathy Duff was in her element as the fashion theme was “A Splash Of Pink”.
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Kumbia Race Results
Race 1 – Powersafe Kingaroy Benchmark 50 Handicap (1000m)
1. Seraphine (8) – Hannah Richardson
2. Bordeaux Hopper (5) – Les Tilley
3. Paparacha (1) – Paul Hamblin
Time: 0:58.06
Margins: Long neck x 1 3/4 lengths
Race 2 – LJP Concrete Country Stampede Qualifier Quality Open Handicap (1000m)
1. Medals (1) – Scott Sweedman
2. Shows A Sign (6) – Les Tilley
3. Astapor (5) – Stacey Callow
Time: 0:56.38 – track record
Margins: 1 length x 2 1/2 lengths
Race 3 – Deb Frecklington MP/ Raine & Horne Kingaroy QTIS Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Lettie’s Lot (7) – Les Tilley
2. Heartfelt Award (5) – Jenna Edwards
3. Flying Zulu (1) – Scott Sweedman
Time: 1:11.00
Margins: 3 1/2 lengths x 1/2 length
Race 4 – Kingaroy Quarry Supplies Burnett To The Beach Series (Heat) Benchmark 55 Handicap (1200m)
1. Reebar (2) – Paul Hamblin
2. Blue Eye Dame (3) – Les Tilley
3. Egypitian’s Reward (1) – Hannah Richardson
Time: 1:10.09
Margins: Head x nose
Race 5 – Memorial For Lenihan, Smoothy, McConville & Moloney Families Ratings Band 0-50 Handicap (1400m)
1. Mighty Judd (1) – Les Tilley
2. Nitrogen (2) – Stacey Callow
3. Vizstar (4) – Sophie Wilcock
Time: 1:22.94
Margins: 3/4 length x 1/2 length
Race 6 – Huston Motors Kumbia Cup Open Handicap (1400m)
1. Ariat (4) – Hannah Richardson
2. Nightstick (6) – Jenna Edwards
3. Hell Of A Lad (7) – Sophie Wilcock
Time: 1:21.50
Margins: 1 1/2 lengths x 5 lengths
