17 April 2018 | thetrots.com.au
Maori Time is the fifth entrant into Sweden’s famed Elitloppet as Australia bursts back on to harness racing’s European stage.
The much-anticipated invitation was received overnight, which will see Maori Time leave Australia’s shores on May 9 to contest the May 27 Elitloppet at Stockholm’s famed Solvalla race track.
Harness Racing Australia CEO Andrew Kelly told thetrots.com.au the invitation was a great result for connections and the Victorian trotting gait.
“It is a terrific feather in the cap for all to have a horse considered good enough to make that trip,” Mr Kelly said.
“This is not a small adventure to be undertaken by connections and by Maori Time herself.”
Owner and breeder Fred Crews and trainer Brent Lilley have both long awaited the invitation, which was pursued soon after Maori Time produced an Australian record smashing 1:51.5 mile rate when saluting at Menangle on February 24.
She will be the first Australian-trained horse to make the trip since Sundons Gift ran sixth in his heat in the 2009 Elitloppet.
“It’s a very short and elite list,” Mr Kelly said of Australia’s Elitloppet entrants. “It’s the most famous race in Scandinavia if not Europe.”
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