Sport
31 October, 2022
Crowds return to Maryborough Harness Racing Club for successful Redwood Carnival
A big crowd was on hand at the Maryborough Trotting Complex on Sunday as the Redwood Carnival came to its conclusion with an exciting 11-race card. An estimated 1200 people were in attendance throughout the afternoon in changeable conditions, with...
A big crowd was on hand at the Maryborough Trotting Complex on Sunday as the Redwood Carnival came to its conclusion with an exciting 11-race card.
An estimated 1200 people were in attendance throughout the afternoon in changeable conditions, with sunshine greeting the first half of the card, before cloud and rain set in for the second half of the afternoon.
Les Chapman, manager of the Maryborough Harness Racing Club, said the rain wasn’t a deterrent at all for the crowd in attendance.
“Of course, we’ve been battling with every race meeting that we have conducted affected by rain in some way. We’ve had a downpour or rain before the first race. On Sunday, we might have had a sprinkle of rain, but nobody cared. What we were concerned about was the carpark — we had a fair bit of it roped off. The rainfall we’ve had out here is unprecedented and we haven’t had a chance to see it dry out at all. So all things considered, it was a really good show,” he said.
Chapman said the atmosphere of the day, and the general feedback from people in attendance, made for a great event.
“We were very, very happy with the turnout. One of the members of the band we organised, Old Melbourne Road, said to me that this show was amazing. Everybody was happy, they were up and about and having a great time. They were all in the mood, and a really good place, which was great to hear,” he said.
"The general feedback from people was that they had a fantastic time, and that’s important to us.”
Chapman was happy with the entertainment that greeted punters, while promising an even bigger race meeting next year, including the potential return of the Redwood Rattler.
“Overall, all I can say is that we’re just happy. Happy to have a big crowd on track again, and everything that we organised went well. The pony trots were a hit, the girls who organised the face painting and the balloons were amazing, they looked after the kids really well,” he said.
“With the Rattler, we clashed with the Victorian Derby the day before. So a lot of people from my friendship group went to the Derby, had a big day, and then realised they would have had to be at the station at 7.10 am to get on the Rattler. It was a bit of a deterrent, but next year, it will be different. There will be some clear air between the Derby and the Redwood.”
The Haras Des Trotteurs Victoria Trotters Derby Final for race eight proved to be a highlight of the day, with an expected battle between favourites Cravache Dor and Harry Stamper going into the race.
However, Cravache Dor continued its golden run in 2022, powering away in the home straight to win by two lengths, and taking its sixth win in eight attempts for driver Nathan Jack — who had a great day out, riding three winners on the card, and trainer Anton Golino for Yabby Dam Farms.
The Aldebaran Park Redwood Classic was another feature race on the card for the sixth race, with Cognati taking its second win in succession at the track with a disciplined run, while others, including favourite Susan Is Her Name, made mistakes in the early stages of the race. It ensured that the duo of driver Greg Sugars and trainer Jess Tubbs would taste success, under the watchful eye of owner Don Smith.
Speaking to Trots Vision, Sugars said Cognati was an exceptional horse.
“Cognati’s always been ex-ceptional, her manners have been sensational basically right from the word go, apart from veering off the track late — that’s a bad habit that she’s just got in to,” he said.
“Once we got through the traffic early she just felt like the winner from a long way out. She’s an incredibly good horse to deal with and train. You couldn’t ask for a better horse. Just a great doing horse, great type. We love her.”
Other highlights included the Alabar Matchmaker Mile in race five, won by Visionary in a blistering time of 1:56.8, while race nine’s Aldebaran Park Gold Bracelet saw Aldebaran Keepa fall just short of the track record for the 1690 m trotting pace, with a 1:56.6 recorded.
