ALMOST 300 Thoroughbred personalities and fans found their way to the Emerald Town Hall on February 5 to celebrate the best in
country racing.
Awards were given in 11 categories - Outstanding Contribution/Volunteer of the Year, Non-TAB meeting, TAB meeting, Non-TAB race, Ride Of the Year, Newcomer, Sprinting horse, Staying horse, Apprentice, Jockey and Trainer.
Among the winners were Leanne Gudge, secretary of the Burdekin racing Club, jockeys Ric McMahon and John Rudd and Julia Creed-based trainer Tanya Parry.
Additionally, North Queenslander Charlie Barbagallo, once a trainer and a race club committeeman, retired jockey Allen (Rusty) Davis, the late Roy (Butch) Mules were inducted into the Country Racing Hall Of Fame along with the gallopers King Bermuda and Walk Cool..
But jockey Michael Schrapel stole the night, appearing on stage and dropping to one knee before proposing to Anna Bakos as she accepted the gong as the year's best apprentice.
"Not only is Anna a great rider and very deserving of this award, but she is my best friend, my rock and I had to ask her to marry me," Schrapel said.
"Luckily she said yes."
An enthralled crowd burst into spontaneous applause and even 20 minutes later Ms Bakos was still shaking with excitement.
"Wow, what just happened," she asked.
"I'm so overwhelmed and I'm still shaking. I never saw this coming.
"Obviously I wanted it so dearly but wow, this is incredible."
Read more in this week's edition of Queensland Country Life.
Alan Welburn
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
