Sport
29 October, 2024
A classic Redwood Carnival as big Maryborough crowd greets Australia’s top trotters
It was a Redwood Carnival to remember, with some of Aus-tralia’s best trotters delivering on-track, and many stories to be told of the success off it.
Big crowds were the stories of the day on Friday and Sunday as racegoers were treated to two thrilling cards, while Saturday night’s dinner dance also brought a sold-out presence, delivering an incredible weekend of success for the Maryborough Harness Racing Club.
The weekend started with Friday’s Redwood Remembrance meeting, a successful event which honoured legends of both the Redwood Carnival and harness racing, in particular the Victorian Square Trotters Association, with plenty of close racing on offer throughout the afternoon.
Sunday’s E L Titan Haras Des Trotteurs Victoria Trotters Derby Final saw hot favourite Keayang Zahara, the three-year-old filly that has thrilled crowds across Australia, take its 11th straight victory since its debut.
Early race carnage saw four horses gallop, but Keayang Zahara, starting on the second row on the inside, avoided the mess after being driven well by Jason Lee, before making a stunning move to take the lead as the bell sounded.
From there, Keayang Zahara was never headed, despite a brave effort from Valtino, who tried to keep up all the way before eventually finishing second, while Pinnie finished in third.
A dramatic Redwood Classic was delayed by almost 15 minutes, with favourite Gatesys Gem requiring a last-minute shoe change after some preparation drama on the track.
Regardless, the race went ahead without interruption, and it was a terrific battle between Vytis and Gatesys Gem as the two highly-rated horses went toe-to-toe.
In the end, it would be Vytis, driven superbly by Emmett Brosnan, who held out Gatesys Gem by a length, with Enchauffour a further half a length back in third.
In another of the key race meetings for the day, racegoers got to see Just Believe in action as one of Australia’s most in-form trotters, having taken 13 wins from 15 starts prior to Sunday’s Community Bank Maryborough Gold Trotters Cup.
Greg Sugars drove a terrific race on the raging favourite, who was eased into the race at the front and was never challenged, cruising to an easy victory by two lengths in what was a sensational performance, winning from long-shot Parisian Artiste and Mufasa Metro.
There was something for everyone in the card as Sunday’s meeting was dominated by short-priced horses.
The first race, the NewsXPress maiden trot, saw Lochinvar Son take victory by just over a length, with Lee driving the winner, while the second race, the Vale Dick Lee maiden trot, went to Tenasea Whiskey in a close finish from Old Dominion, with Nathan Jack driving the winner.
The Aldebaran Park Gold Bracelet went the way of Ikigai, driven by Sugars, in one of the closest races of the day as the favourite held out Centurion Dream by half a length.
In The Maryborough District Advertiser trot for race four, it was fittingly a district local who took victory, with Lexton’s James Herbertson continuing his terrific form across the season by taking Gee Cee Calder to victory by a head from Fouroutoffive.
Race seven’s Matchmaker Mile was a victory for the outsiders, with trainer/driver Chris Svanosio taking I Dream Of Millie to a dominant victory in a race that saw the top three spots all taken by outsiders, with Everybodylovesme in second and Countess Chiron in third.
The final race of the day, the McArdle Contracting Trot, saw El Resamo take a commanding victory from Aldebaran Miley, winning by three lengths.