{"id":307869,"date":"2021-10-23T13:34:34","date_gmt":"2021-10-23T03:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=307869"},"modified":"2021-10-27T13:43:44","modified_gmt":"2021-10-27T03:43:44","slug":"monica-was-there-in-spirit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/10\/23\/monica-was-there-in-spirit\/","title":{"rendered":"Monica Was There In Spirit"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Some of Monica Ryan Demircan\u2019s family and friends at Wondai (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/p>\n

October 23, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was very fitting that female riders dominated the show at last Saturday’s Wondai race meeting that included the running of the Monica Ryan Demircan Memorial.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They swept the card with a haul that included three trifectas and two quinellas.<\/p>\n

Common sense prevailed. The ten competing ladies were allotted the larger jockeys\u2019 room. <\/p>\n

Next door, with plenty of space, were four males who collectively picked up two third placings.<\/p>\n

Although no one matched Monica\u2019s 1990 feat when she chalked up a quadrella, Hannah Phillips secured a double with Oakfield Comanche and Igbo and Gemma Steele did likewise on Aratula and Not Liable. <\/p>\n

In the Roy and Glenis Radunz Wondai Cup, Billie-Rose Andrew prevailed on Sugar Buzz, the chestnut that was saddled up by her husband Brenton.<\/p>\n

Sugar Buzz, in making made it two from two at the track, earnt a spot in the $105,000 Country Cups Challenge Final (1600m) at Doomben on December 4.<\/p>\n

It was another perfect tally of five from five for the women at Stanthorpe on the same day. <\/p>\n

On this occasion, it was against the odds with five lasses taking on seven lads.<\/p>\n

A definite advantage of country racing is its closeness to the action. <\/p>\n

Patrons on the outside fence get a real appreciation of the skilful determination of the jockeys. <\/p>\n

Wondai makes for easy viewing. <\/p>\n

The turn out of the straight in the longer contests clearly displays the sandy conditions the pilots face up to!<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"
A happy Billie-Rose Andrew aboard the 2021 Wondai Cup hero Sugar Buzz ( Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next Up Is Kumbia<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At the Kumbia Hotel on Sunday, October 31 at about 2:00pm, the traditional Melbourne Cup Calcutta will get folk into the swing for a wonderful day at \u201cthe Flemington of the Bush\u201d two days later.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is worth nothing that on the Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30pm, the Kumbia and District Historical Society\u2019s Museum at the Federation Heritage Centre behind the Hall will also be open.<\/p>\n

It is important to do some homework before heading out on November\u2019s first Tuesday to the Kumbia Racecourse-Golf Course on the Bunya Highway.<\/p>\n

First and foremost is the online purchasing of entry tickets at trybooking.com\/BUOAX<\/B><\/A><\/p>\n

At this web page, you can also order racebooks, platters and Wine and Cheese Bar seating.<\/p>\n

Print the tickets at home and remember to bring cash as there are no ATM facilities at the track.<\/p>\n

Mobile phone reception at the course is also a bit dodgy, so while Covid QR code scanning logos will be available at the gate, they may not work at times because of signalling problems. <\/p>\n

In these cases, manual entries may be necessary.<\/p>\n

Buses will run to and from The Carrollee Hotel in Kingaroy, and you can phone (07) 4162-1055 for bookings.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check out the Kumbia Race Club Facebook posts for details of camping and caravan possibilities at the neighbouring Francis family\u2019s Easy 8 Farms. <\/p>\n

For safety reasons, the course is a dog-free venue. However, BYO chairs and pop-up gazebos are welcome.<\/p>\n

The Fashions Of the Field theme is \u201cSplash in Pink\u201d, which ties in with the meeting\u2019s support of the #pinkupyourtown project that aids the McGrath Foundation\u2019s quest to provide local breast care nurses.<\/p>\n

Another item to contemplate competing in is the Dash For Cash foot races that are usually staged late in the day.<\/p>\n

For event enquiries, contact Myolene Voller, the Kumbia Race Club Vice President, on 0407-645-574. <\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"
A furious pack of competitors head up the straight at Wondai as they contest the 2021 Monica Ryan Demircan Memorial (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Kumbia Program<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Last year\u2019s Kumbia Cup card offered base prize money that ranged from $8000 to $10,000. This time around, purses start at $11,000 and reach $12,500 for the Kumbia Cup (1400m).<\/strong><\/p>\n

The increases illustrate the depth of community commitment by businesses and families.<\/p>\n

The Cup sponsors, Huston Ford of Rogers Drive in Kingaroy, have been the feature\u2019s backer since 1970. <\/p>\n

A half century of continuous patronage is an unbelievable contribution!<\/p>\n

Deb Frecklington MP, Raine and Horne Realty at Kingaroy and Nutrien AG Solutions, the specialists with agricultural products and services, are linked to the $11,000 QTIS Maiden Plate (1200m).<\/p>\n

Rohan Voller Denture Studio at Corndale Road in Kingaroy, Powersafe and Nutrien Livestock are helping with the $11,000 Class B (1000m).<\/p>\n

Liberty Fuel, at Youngman Street Kingaroy, is associated with the $11,000 Benchmark 60 (1200m).<\/p>\n

The $11,000 Benchmark 50 leg of the Burnett To The Beach Series is a dedication to the memory of some outstanding community members.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The race recognises members of the Lenihan, Smoothy, Reed and McConville families.<\/p>\n

Jim Lenihan, whose brother Brian is the incumbent Kumbia Race Club President, was a very popular racing participant as a jockey, owner, trainer, punter and an energetic local turf supporter.<\/p>\n

Win Lenihan was Brian’s much-loved wife and also a stalwart at the Kumbia track.<\/p>\n

Helen Smoothy and her husband Kevin, the K.R.C Patron, operated the Kumbia Hotel. She also toiled away in the race-day Luncheon Hall.<\/p>\n

Morris (or Boy) Reed was a jockey, trainer, K.R.C committee member and judge. His wife Joyce played a part with the club\u2019s ladies committee. Russell and his late wife Jenny kept up the family\u2019s love for the sport. Boy\u2019s father was a foundation club member in 1927.<\/p>\n

Josie McConville, who passed away in May aged 93, was a fantastic fundraiser for the Cancer Council of Queensland, particularly with her long standing \u201cAustralia\u2019s Biggest Morning Tea\u201d gatherings.<\/p>\n

The tireless stalwart also played a pivotal role in Birds of a Feather, a local group composed of cancer survivors, their friends and family. The squad had a team in the South Burnett\u2019s annual Relay For Life.<\/p>\n

A practical way to remember Josie is to don a Splash of Pink and donate to the Pink Up Your Town initiative.<\/p>\n

Melbourne Cup Day is an entrenched element of the nation\u2019s cultural heritage and Kumbia is a vibrant strand in that fabric. <\/p>\n

So make the most of this glorious Spring weather – get to the course on November 2!<\/I><\/B><\/p>\n