Entertainment
20 August, 2026
Banana races were a winner
MORE than 1000 racegoers packed the Innisfail Turf Club, soaking up glorious winter weather and a lively seven race program as the Banana Industry Race Day delivered one of the biggest social and racing events of the year.
The Australian Banana Growers’ Council sponsored the annual celebration on 15 August, hosting a well attended lunch in the covered pavilion while punters enjoyed a strong racing line-up featuring horses from Atherton, Ingham, Townsville and a solid contingent of local runners.
Innisfail trainer Krystin Allender kicked off the day in style, with jockey Ivo Fry guiding three-year-old filly Stable Investment to victory in the QTIS Maiden Plate (900m).
The trackside fashion was just as competitive, with Townsville judges Kirran Jonsson and Stephanie Dank selecting junior and senior fashions on the field winners from a colourful parade of tropical style. (All winners will be published later).
Innisfail Turf Club vice-president Mark Spagnolo said the atmosphere was outstanding.
“It was a fabulous event with everyone in high spirits, exciting racing action and glorious weather contributing to a highly successful day,” he said. “The banana luncheon was well attended and the fashions were spectacular, which certainly made it a tough job for the judges. A special thank you to all the sponsors, trucking companies, banana merchants and businesses who support this annual event.”
Race Results
Race 1 – QTIS Maiden Plate 900m
1st: Stable Investment – Jockey: Ivo Fry – Trainer: Krystin Allender, 2nd: Any News – Jockey: Rachel Shred (Atherton) - Trainer: Rachel Shred, 3rd: Perfect Fawaz – Jockey: Masayuki Abe – Trainer: Trevor and Peter Rowe (Cairns).
Race 2 – Class B Handicap 1100m
1st: Desarae Doll – Jockey: Lacey Morrison – Trainer: Trevor and Peter Rowe (Cairns), 2nd: Bubble Tea – Jockey: Wanderson D’Avila – Trainer: Allan Holmes (Mareeba), 3rd: Amore Sirena – Jockey: Lauren Guernier – Trainer: Benjamin Tyson (Gordonvale).
Race 3 – Benchmark 65 Handicap 1100m
1st: Mclovin – Jockey: Lacey Morrison – Trainer: Sharlee Hoffman (Tolga), 2nd: Irresistible Force – Jockey: Mitch Goring – Trainer: Alwyn Bailey (Cairns), 3rd: Racatoon – Jockey: Masayuki Abe – Trainer: Athol Ryan (Georgetown).
Race 4 – Benchmark 55 Handicap 1200m
1st: Superstitions – Jockey: Masayuki Abe – Trainer: Ray Moller (Danbulla), 2nd: Charm Teller – Jockey: Wanderson D’Avila – Trainer: Fred Wieland (Cairns), 3rd: Laser Beam – Jockey: Samantha Pointon – Trainer: Alex Malliff (Mareeba).
Race 5 – Benchmark 55 Handicap 1200m
1st: Insta Worthy – Jockey: Rachel Shred – Trainer: Sharlee Hoffman (Tolga), 2nd: Secret Cypher – Jockey: Ivo Fry – Trainer: Allan Holmes (Mareeba), 3rd: Third Master – Jockey: Wanderson D’Avila – Trainer: Alex Malliff (Mareeba).
Race 6 – Ratings Band 0–60 Handicap 1500m
1st: Betta AI – Jockey: Wanderson D’Avila – Trainer: Alwyn Bailey (Cairns), 2nd: Dragon Song – Jockey: Samantha Pointon – Trainer: Mark Atkinson (Mareeba), 3rd: The Impeckable – Jockey: Lacey Morrison – Trainer: Bodine Bailey (Cairns).
Race 7 – Banana Cup Open Handicap 1800m
1st: Choir Boy – Jockey: Ivo Fry –Trainer: Janel Ryan (Atherton), 2nd: Sigiriya Rock – Jockey: Wanderson D’Avila – Trainer: Steven Roves (Townsville), 3rd: Better Be Slick – Jockey: Lacey Morrison – Trainer: Bodine Bailey (Cairns).
The next date on the local racing calendar is the Innisfail Annuals on Saturday 17 October, one of the biggest social events of the racing calendar.
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