Graeme Scheu was immersed in thought as he set out on a leisurely walk one September morning last year. He and his fellow Goondiwindi Race Club committee members were still coming to terms with the disappointment of having had their all important Cup meeting rained out a few weeks earlier. Now they had to decide on the most viable option of the three alternative dates offered them by Racing Queensland. As Graeme approached Apex Park on the banks of the Macintyre River he was conscious of the towering presence of the famous Gunsynd statue, funded by the Goondiwindi Apex Club and unveiled amidst much fanfare in 1974.
This wasn’t the first time Graeme had stood to reflect at the foot of this imposing sculpture by Brisbane stonemason Tom Farrell. It wasn’t the first time he’d run his eye over the inscription listing Gunsynd’s distinguished racing record. He noted that Gunsynd bowed out of racing with a second placing in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 28th 1973. The idea hit him like a lightning bolt. One of the dates put forward by Racing Queensland for a replacement Cup meeting was April 29th 2023. It was the fiftieth anniversary of Gunsynd’s race track swansong. A plan rapidly evolved in the mind of the former auctioneer.
“An anniversary dinner could be held on Friday night April 28th, the actual date of his final race,” said Graeme. “This would be the perfect lead up to our rescheduled Goondiwindi Cup meeting the following day. I was relieved when my fellow committee members agreed wholeheartedly with the concept and gave me the green light to go ahead. Racing Queensland and the Goondiwindi Regional Council immediately came on board and have given us tremendous support. The icing on the cake came a few weeks after the committee meeting when we discovered the Saturday race meeting would coincide with the fortieth anniversary of Gunsynd’s death at the Kia Ora Stud in NSW. To use an old showbiz line, it was a promoter’s dream.”
Gunsynd beats classy performers Triton and Gold Brick in the 1972 Hill Stakes - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
It was quite a thrill to walk into the beautifully decorated Royal Hotel function room on Friday night. One hundred and sixty enthusiastic guests had gathered to pay homage to the gallant grey, who continues to keep the famous Queensland town in the spotlight. Predictably Gunsynd’s colours of purple and white dominated the decor, while videos highlighting the great horse’s career ran on a large screen throughout the night. At his best as Master Of Ceremonies was respected race caller Greg Kachel, who did an equally splendid job as course commentator at the Gunsynd Park track the following day.
Murray "Cutter" Hayes, Graeme, Greg Kachel, Ann and myself at Royal Hotel function - courtesy Wayne Pratt Photography.
Goondiwindi Mayor the Hon Lawrence Springborg made the official welcome supported by Race Club President Maurie “Cutter” Hayes. Graeme Scheu conducted an interview with former race photographer Alan Peach who took countless photos of the “Goondiwindi Grey” during the champion’s early career in Brisbane. Les Bishop spoke on behalf of his late father Bill, one of Gunsynd’s four owners. Another well known guest was local historian Phil Percival, who’s reputed to know more about the life and times of Gunsynd than any other living person.
A section of the crowd at the Gunsynd Anniversary Dinner 28/04/2023 - courtesy Wayne Pratt Photography.
And now to this man Graeme Scheu whose dedication to the task of celebrating Gunsynd’s illustrious career was infectious. I received my first phone call from Graeme in early January, and his passion for the project was unmistakable. There were several more phone conversations and a number of email and text exchanges. Finally it was arranged for me and my wife Ann to share in the celebrations. The deal was clinched when my great Sydney racing mate Terry Elliott and his wife Margaret, agreed to drive me all the way to the historic Queensland border town.
Brisbane born Graeme Scheu has crammed a lot into his sixty seven years. He realised a boyhood ambition to become an auctioneer when he gained a start with Australian Estates in the early 1970’s. His career began in Brisbane, but he would later complete enjoyable stints in Townsville and Charters Towers. It was 1978 when the company transferred him to the town he would eventually call home. Despite attaining a very high level as an auctioneer, Graeme decided on a complete change of direction in 1985. He purchased the Goondiwindi Travel Centre from its founder Peter Harney, and has become a legendary figure in the industry over the ensuing thirty eight years.
Graeme Scheu assisted with commentary at the Royal Hotel - courtesy Wayne Pratt Photography.
Graeme has taken thousands of people to many fascinating locations over almost four decades. Perhaps he’s best known for his famous Melbourne Cup excursions conducted under the “Gunsynd Tours” banner. The first was in 1993 when just seventeen people signed up for the trip. In recent years that number has increased to one hundred and twenty racing enthusiasts. A similar number will join him this year for his 30th trip to the iconic Melbourne Cup carnival. Incidentally Graeme’s auctioneering skills are still intact as he proved at the Royal Hotel on Friday night. The tempo, the jargon and the flair were on display as he sold off two attractive Gunsynd memorabilia items - a commemorative set of the champ’s racing silks, and a framed photo and statistical record of the horse’s career. A striking framed colour print of the “Goondiwindi Grey” at the gallop, inspired strong raffle ticket sales.
Graeme wears another hat at the Goondiwindi Cup meeting.
Graeme’s impact as a businessman in the legendary little town has been matched by his contribution to local government. Following eight years on the town council he became Mayor of Goondiwindi, a role he filled with distinction for no less than twelve years. As aforementioned he’s been a long term member of the Goondiwindi Race Club committee and currently doubles as Treasurer. The remarkably versatile Scheu is also a well known bookmaker on the non TAB circuit in the region. If you needed to see the man on Saturday, you had to go to the undercover betting ring where he was fielding on the locals.
Despite some ominous weather warnings for south eastern Queensland, Saturday morning dawned fine and clear in Goondiwindi. The sun was still beaming welcomingly when a field of seven broke from the barriers in the opener. The healthy crowd was treated to a nail biting finish in which Tycoon Jim nosed out Jet Spinner and Dark Origins. Grafton jockey Jodi Worley rode the winner setting the scene for the female riders who won every race on the six event programme.
Lilli Barr won on Fitzroy Boy, Emily Lang notched a double on Gertie Goer and Miss Cinnamoncider, while Sunshine Coast apprentice Shania Willis won the feature double, the Vern Kleinschmidt Goondiwindi Cup and the Gunsynd Battler’s Cup. The late Vern Kleinschmidt was a long time veterinarian in the Goondiwindi region. His legacy lives on through the Vern Kleinschmidt Community trust which continues to support the Goondiwindi Race Club and several other worthy causes in the region. His passion for horse racing was reflected in the large number of horses he raced in the region over a long period of years.
Here's the first of Shania's two winners at Goondiwindi - Tintinwin wins the Vern Kleinschmidt Goondiwindi Cup - courtesy 3-Way Photos.
Shania Willis who’s indentured to Liam Birchley at Corbauld Park, took full advantage of her 2KG claim to snare the Cups double. She had Tintinwin beautifully positioned throughout the 1400m Goondiwindi Cup before hitting the front on straightening up. The Ocean Park gelding hung on gamely to beat River Mac and Oakfield Target in the $16,000 event. Shania was having her first ride on the Donald Baker trained five year old. In contrast to her ride on Tintinwin, the apprentice made the decision to go straight to the lead on Boult in the final race of the day. The eight year old looked vulnerable on the hometurn, but Shania kept him going to hold out Bartalumba and Package in the 1800m BM50. Shania was familiar with Boult’s racing characteristics having ridden the veteran several times for Warwick trainer Kellie Monckton.
Shania made it a double on Boult in the final race on Cup day - courtesy 3-Way Photos.
Shania Willis holds the Goondiwindi Cup trophy aloft. The Sunshine Coast apprentice made it a Cups double in the very next race.
The picturesque Gunsynd Park precinct was presented in pristine order by the Goondiwindi Race Club courtesy of a dedicated ground staff. I couldn’t help but notice the top quality fencing recently completed by local professional Ron Glasser. I met Ron during the day and he’s justifiably proud of the megametres of aluminium and PVC fencing enclosing the members area and the spacious parade yard. The outside fence in the home straight is another example of his handiwork. Ron also pointed out the 1800mm (1.8m) “exclusion” fencing around the entire outside boundary of the racecourse. Without that deterrent the local kangaroo population would make a quick meal of the liberally grassed course proper. As a point of interest the grass on the Gunsynd Park circuit was transferred from Doomben when the metropolitan course was re turfed in 2006. If I had to pick one word with which to describe the overall Gunsynd Park complex, I’d plump for “tidy.”
Apart from a brief rainy squall which swept in midway through the afternoon, Cup day went off without a hitch. If I were to officially record my thanks to every friendly person we met over the two days, we’d never make this week’s deadline. In a nutshell it was a delight to be part of a weekend which honoured one of the most popular racehorses of his generation. Come to think of it, this horse will remain popular with many generations to come. Especially in Goondiwindi.
There wasn't a set of racing colours on Cup day brighter than Greg Kachel's shirt.
Auction and raffle items complimented by purple and white chrysanthemums provided by Graeme's partner Coral O'Shea - courtesy Wayne Pratt Photography.
(Banner image - Kevin Langby made sure the fans got a good look at the champ after his Autumn Stakes win 21/04/1973 - his penultimate race start - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)