by Michael Howard
Trots lovers will flood to Maryborough for the celebrated two-day carnival that has been a “phenomenon” for the sport, club and town, says Les Chapman.
Maryborough Harness Racing Club’s secretary said the Redwood All-Trotting Carnival, which starts Friday and peaks with two Group 1 races on Sunday, had beaten the odds to become a key driver of Victorian square gaiting.
“When it was made the first all-trotting carnival by the Victorian Square Trotters Association and Maryborough, some said it would never work, but we said we’d make it work,” Mr Chapman said.
“Everyone who had a trotter entered for the day, it just went off. It was a massive success, then we introduced the Friday and the carnival continued to grow and has been on a steady footing for a number of years.”
It has been further fuelled with the introduction of the TAB.com.au Redwood Rattler, a Sunday train trip from Southern Cross Station to Maryborough that last year dropped more than 150 travellers off at the track, a number that will be even greater in this year’s second staging.
The crowd boost will only further ensure the success of the 32nd staging of the carnival, which started in 1985, featuring the Group 1 Seelite Windows & Doors Redwood Classic at 2.44pm on Sunday followed by the Group 1 Seelite Windows & Doors Victoria Trotters Derby at 3.54pm.
“It’s been a big thing for the trotting gait, for the club and the town,” Mr Chapman said.
“There has always been a really good feel about Redwood. The town is booked out, the people of Maryborough really benefit.
“I consider myself really privileged to be part of the club and witness this phenomenon.”
And it’s also been a good thing for the trotting gait, which continues to gain momentum in Victoria.
“It’s given a lot of people a lot of confidence to buy a trotter and race a trotter,” he said.
“The Maryborough club really take seriously that we have the privilege to conduct this meeting on behalf of the trotting fraternity.
“They own it, they are the people who have supported us all the way through and they turn up year after year after year.”
Both days will feature 10-race cards and Mr Chapman said the club had “great facilities, with ample cover, fantastic food and a racing atmosphere that’s second to none”.
That will be complemented on the Sunday by a punters’ club, led by Brett and Darren Carroll, which last year was an “astronomical” success having attracted a $16,800 pool and given punters a return on their investment.
The day will also feature Chip In For Connor, a fundraiser for Ballarat pony trots driver Connor Clarke, who is battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A raffle will carry the prize of a service to Blitzthemcalder, courtesy of stud owners Rick and Janne Birchill, who will have their trotting stallion parade on course. Golden Plains Veterinary Clinic will also donatie the vet fees associated with the mare’s first cycle as part of the package.
In addition, anybody who books a service to the horse and pays a 10 per cent deposit ($150) on the day will have that deposit donated to Connor’s cause.
A big field has entered for the pony trots, while free icy poles and lollies and iPod draws will also keep the children entertained.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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