{"id":101792,"date":"2015-04-02T14:37:24","date_gmt":"2015-04-02T04:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=101792"},"modified":"2021-01-27T14:43:35","modified_gmt":"2021-01-27T04:43:35","slug":"nanango-tops-the-tally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2015\/04\/02\/nanango-tops-the-tally\/","title":{"rendered":"Nanango Tops The Tally"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Glenn Richardson’s charge Clifford, pictured with Isabella Rabjones before running third at Kumbia last month, is among a host of hopefuls engaged at Nanango on Saturday (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a>April 2, 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

With 59 acceptors for its Easter meeting, Nanango Race Club\u2019s participants will easily outnumber Saturday\u2019s other non-TAB fixtures scheduled for Barcaldine (31), Boulia (35), Bowen (44), Einasleigh (46), Flinton (38), Gladstone (30) and Roma (28). <\/strong><\/p>\n

Emerald will start no more than 33 on Sunday, while Augathella\u2019s Monday card matches Nanango\u2019s tally.<\/p>\n

Roma\u2019s agenda is exceptionally disappointing as there will be just four races at Bassett Park, despite the $10,000 purses.<\/p>\n

Nanango is well placed geographically and, as usual, has attracted stables from a broad area.<\/p>\n

On this occasion, the zone is bordered by Bundaberg, Beaudesert, Gympie and Roma.<\/p>\n

Timing has also been favourable.<\/p>\n

Since Kumbia\u2019s program on March 14, the only grass non-TAB offering in the south-east district was at Monto last Saturday.<\/p>\n

The next ones will be at Wonndai on April 25, and Burrandowan on May 9.<\/p>\n

Folk who have not been to Lee Park are reminded that all the major parts are undercover.<\/p>\n

Patrons can eat, drink, bet and watch the races without getting wet or sunburnt.<\/p>\n

Given the field-sizes, the thoroughbred action will be exciting.<\/p>\n

Racegoers at Nanango this weekend can watch Skychannel to see how $9.9 million is dispersed at Randwick.<\/p>\n

The colossal card is headed by the $3m Doncaster Mile, the $2.5m T. J. Smith Stakes, the $2m Australian Derby and the $1m Sires Produce Stakes with a $200,000 minimum stake applicable for the other six events.<\/p>\n

Punters at Nanango and Randwick will see the same television pictures of these races.<\/p>\n

But the admission costs are somewhat different: a $10 fee at Lee Park versus a $50 turnstile charge for basic admission in Sydney.<\/p>\n

Randwick\u2019s second day on 11 April features the $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the $1.6 m Sydney Cup, the $1m Australian Oaks and the $1m Queen of the Turf Stakes.<\/p>\n

There is immense pressure on the Australian Turf Club to attract massive numbers.<\/p>\n

Attendance levels at Rosehill\u2019s Golden Slipper and BMW days were apparently nothing to enthuse over.<\/p>\n

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James and Kate Curtain, pictured with jockey Nathan Day and I Am Mclovin after their recent Kumbia victory, will be busy on Saturday with starters at Nanango and Roma (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Country Cousins’ Windfall<\/strong><\/h3>\n

On the first two Saturdays in April, a set of connections from both country and provincial domains in New South Wales will score an incredible windfall at Randwick.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The relevant pair of cleverly constructed race series would be a mere fanciful notion without the government\u2019s hefty eight-figure contribution to Sydney\u2019s upcoming extravaganza.<\/p>\n

The Country Championship Series is a contest for eligible horses that are under the care of a country trainer.<\/p>\n

Each of the seven qualifying races in March at Bathurst (Central Districts), Port Macquarie (Mid North Coast), Tamworth (Hunter and North West), Wagga Wagga (Southern Districts), Grafton (Northern Rivers), Goulburn (South-East), Dubbo (Western) and Muswellbrook (Wildcard-All Regions) carried purse of $100,000.<\/p>\n

The first two in each of these heats advanced to the $300,000 grand finale in Sydney.<\/p>\n

The Provincial Championship Series, in which the trifecta horses in the lead-ups at Wyong, Kembla Grange, Newcastle, Hawkesbury and Gosford progress to the final, has the same money up for grabs.<\/p>\n

Whilst Queensland authorities could not even dream of such gifts, the issue of equity should be addressed in this state.<\/p>\n

The major special rural events here are the $20,000 Showcase races.<\/p>\n

But the downside is that the venues are not rotated.<\/p>\n

The NSW model has factored in a fairer distribution process.<\/p>\n

Even the conditions of the occasional Country Cup on the Brisbane tracks favour provincial horses.<\/p>\n

Of course, the main priority in the Sunshine State at present is to get the finances straightened out so the reconstruction of Eagle Farm can be fast tracked.<\/p>\n

It is also vital to have the course woes at Toowoomba and Ipswich consigned to the archives.<\/p>\n

With Doomben holding the fort, Brisbane racing needs a rain-free winter.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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A recent trip to Charleville by the Sunshine Coast’s “Excellent Eight” showed that racetrack reunions are fun (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Diverse Marketing Moves<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Seven ladies from the Sunshine Coast ventured out to last Saturday\u2019s Charleville meeting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They made the journey in 2014 but missed the races by a week, a mistake they remedied this time around.<\/p>\n

Their purpose was to catch up with a School of Distance Education teacher who was the eighth member of their very long term friendship group.<\/p>\n

Although the concept of group visits to race meetings is far from new, the idea is rarely a direct part of marketing campaigns.<\/p>\n

No doubt there are residents of the South-Burnett who would know of possible scenarios along this line.<\/p>\n

The district is handy to a number of highly urbanised centres and, given its range of attractive activities, a weekend away in rural surroundings to coincide with a race day is very achievable.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Bits And Bridles<\/strong><\/h3>\n