Nanango New Year Racing

Sporting Outpost

Although residing at some distance from the metropolis of the colony, and without even a township of any size in our immediate vicinity, we nevertheless manage once a-year, every Christmas, to keep up one of the finest sports of the old country.

After passing through the busy seasons of lambing and shearing, it is an immense relaxation to meet for a couple of days on the Nanango course, and try the mettle of our bush horses. The race-course is situated on the Tarong run, within two hundred yards of the Baramba Creek, about midway between Taabinga and Nanango.

Purpose Bred

The principal supporters of our Christmas meetings are C. E. Haly, Esq. of Taabinga, and George Clapperton, Esq. of Tarong, who turn out every year some of the right sort.

In fact, the Taabinga horses especially have been bred so carefully for many years, both from imported Arab and English stock, that they are second to none in the colony.

Whether the other horse breeders in the district are afraid to meet such formidable antagonists, I know not, but the fact is they do not support the meeting as they ought to do.

Nevertheless, we manage to raise some capital sport, and the running, if the timekeeper was correct, must be considered good.

Brisbane "Cracks"

The meeting this day was well attended; the weather was all that could be desired, and we were delighted to find that the fair sex, among whom we noticed especially the Taabinga party, did not think us unworthy of notice.

We were honored at this meeting by the presence of two of the Brisbane "cracks", White Stockings and Amy, but if Mr. Munry thought of walking off with some of our best prizes, I imagine he now feels most keenly his bitter disappointment.

However, I hope his visit to this out-of-the-way place may have taught him a useful lesson, and although he may still consider us "duffers," he must be quite convinced that our horses are not.

Working Men's Purse

The second race was the Working Men's Purse of £10 for all hack, the bona fide property of working men. Two Heats, one mile and a distance. Previous to starting "Wallaby" (McNamara) was very restive, but after one or two attempts the word "Off!" was given.

"Wallaby" went away with the lead, which he maintained to the finish, winning, hard held, by three lengths; one length between second and-third. - Time, 2 min. 6 sec.

In the second heat "Wallaby" went away with the lead. He was collared by "Willie", who pushed him hard for half a mile, but then dropped behind. "Crazy Jane" made a rush up the straight running, and came in a good second. - Time, 2 min. 9 sec.

Source: Trove Digitized Newspapers - The Brisbane Courier, 9 January 1866.