HISTORY OF REDWOOD DAY

Maryborough's amazing Redwood success story dates back to 1985 when the Victorian Square Trotters' Association developed a new standing start classic for two-year-old trotters.

The event was designed as a complement to the Victorian Sires Stakes Series, run under mobile conditions.

It derived its name from the late Hugh Redwood, a past president and foundation member of the VSTA who was widely respected within the harness racing industry and renown for his affinity for square gaiters.

The inaugural Redwood Classic was hosted by Maryborough Harness Racing Club in 1986.

Few people at the time could have predicted the proud future which lay ahead of the newest addition to Victoria's feature race program.

In 2019, the Redwood is well and truly entrenched as Australia's most prestigious two-year-old event for trotters.

Although there are richer juvenile races, the Redwood has developed a mystique which has captured the imagination of breeders, owners, trainers and drivers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Already, its honour roll reads like a who's who of Australian trotting, with horses the calibre of Dark Edge, Kwik Kiwi, and Wagon Apollo featured.

Equally, it has been a race where the everyday battler has earned their moment in the spotlight.

Thanks to past winners like Lady Thor, Kano Regal, Lacey Truscott, Petite Morley and Lord of the Gym, stories of friendship, determination, and dreams come true have become its trademark.

A Redwood presentation is one of the most emotional, and inspirational you will witness on a Victorian racetrack.

In 2019, the 34th Redwood champion will be crowned.

This season will be the 18th occasion that The Redwood has been staged as part of a race program exclusively for trotters.

In 2002, a new chapter was written into Redwood folklore when the first three-day Redwood Carnival, comprising two all-trotting programs, was staged at Carisbrook Raceway.

In 2003, the Carnival attracted record nominations, with a total of 376 entries received for the two racing days. The figure eclipsed the previous year's total of 308 nominations.