Sport
4 November, 2025
Prestigious Redwood Carnival delights
Top-tier harness racing delivered by some of the best trotters in the nation, alongside a packed entertainment schedule, highlighted an extraordinary three days at the Redwood Carnival.
Capacity crowds flocked to the Maryborough Harness Racing Club from Friday to Sunday to participate in one of Victoria’s most celebrated Harness Racing events.
After Friday’s Redwood Remembrance Day races and the sold-out Paul Costa Live concert on Saturday night, all eyes were fixated on the two group one feature races that produced some remarkable moments.
In the prestigious Aldebaran Park Redwood Classic, it was the favourite Notanotha Naughty who took the cup by a nose over The Preacher and Unclad.
Trained by Hugh Cathels and driven by Jason Lee, who won the Victoria Trotters Derby driving Keayang Zahara at last year’s carnival, the Redwood triumph is an outstanding achievement for the two-year-old after fighting for its life just hours after birth.
The other Group One race on the calendar was the Yabby Dam Farms Victoria Trotters Derby Final, which saw Mecarno upset the favourite Gatesys Gem in a thrilling race.
The victory was a watershed moment for well-respected driver and trainer Michael Bellman, with the 44-year-old winning the first Group One race of his career.
Patrons also enjoyed a variety of off-track entertainment, with Fashions on the Field, kids’ activities and live music proving very popular.