This year's ANZAC Day saw hundreds turn out to remember the efforts of Australia and New Zealand's great service men and women. Veterans, schools, clubs and businesses poured into the streets to march in grand parades, and packed in close to attend services held across the Hinchinbrook Shire. Beautiful wreaths were lain and the bugles mournful tones echoed across respectful silences as flags were lowered to half mast. A gunfire breakfast, coffee and traditional ANZAC biscuits kept everyone going
Read the full storyAllan Colquhoun grew up in Sydney, but his life has taken him far beyond the city limits. In his youth, he worked with a station owner named Bob, whose property combined dairy and sheep farming with a focus on Jersey bulls and cows. One vivid memory that’s stayed with him is of Bob chasing down a bull meant for butchering on his stock horse —a beast that, to Allan’s amazement, climbed over the holding fence one hoof at a time to escape. Allan spent most of his working life as a coastal travelle
Read the full storyHinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism held their monthly Coffee Connect last week, being hosted by local business Wild Local. There was a very strong attendance at this event, with Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and KAP Senate candidate, Robbie Lyon. Rebecca and Dom Zaghini provided a delicious light snacks and gave the audience an overview of their business journey from inception to their current location, the diverse range of products they provide and some insight into t
Read the full storyOver the weekend, the Ingham Kennel Club hosted six rounds of dog shows, featuring judges from across Australia who rotated to ensure fair and balanced competition. Dogs were entered into one of seven group categories, with the Toy Group attracting the largest number of entries. Sunday's shows saw the Italian Greyhound emerge as a standout, making up 20 of the 170 total entries across the weekend. Unique and rarely seen breeds like the Xoloitzcuintli and Briard added excitement to the event, of
Read the full storyThe Russo brothers have been active members of the horse racing community for well over thirty years and show no sign of slowing their successful roll anytime soon.
Charlie, Angelo and Joe reflect on their trail of success with pride, and even following on from a lengthy twenty-year hiatus, the Russo’s are more than eager to jump back in the saddle, with big plans already in motion for 2025.
The Russo’s entered the industry in the 1990’s and made quite a name for themselves with their star stallion, Mr Rogers winning many races across the state, as well as a record place in the Sydney limelight.
In the beginning of the Russo’s horse racing career, Charlie trained each of the horses, with the trio all having a hand in the preparation process. However, more recently, Joe has picked up the reins and trains the horses himself down at the local club.
In the past couple of years, the Russo name has returned to the spotlight, particularly following last month’s Gold Cup celebratory win at the Herbert River Jockey Club on Saturday 19 November.
“He’s not a bad horse and Zouhope has won about four or five races for us, and this year he won the cup!” explained Joe.
“His win wasn’t a surprise; we were pretty confident – he’s a good horse.”
Although Saturday saw the Russo’s first Gold Cup victory, the brothers have celebrated many prestigious wins over their career, including several feature races such as 1998’s Cleveland Bay Handicap whilst also championing a Cluden training premiership, and Townsville Amateur Cup.
With 2025 on the horizon, the brothers hope to add an additional ten horses to the stable, bringing the total to fourteen stallions under the Russo name.
“We won just about everything all those years back from Townsville, to Brisbane, to Sydney – we do really enjoy our racing – we love it really,” added Joe.
The Russo’s with their winning horse Zouhope and jockey Lacey Morrison on the Ingham track (Photo Credit Christopher Spencer).
Jockey, Lacey Morrison raced Zouhope over the finish line on 16 November (Photo Credit Christopher Spencer).
Joe, Charlie and Angelo Russo were confident Zouhope would take home a win (Photo Credit Christopher Spencer).
Jockey, Lacey Morrison and Zouhope being led by Charlie Russo (Photo Credit Christopher Spencer).