Bendigo underlined the globalization of trotting in Australia with squaregaiters born in three different countries filling the official places in the Group 2 Aldebaran Park Maori Mile at Lords Raceway on Saturday night.
New Zealand mare My Escapee driven by Kiwi supremo Mark Purdon defeated the Australian born I Didnt Do It (Jodi Quinlan) and the USA’s Cold Sister (Chris Alford) in a thrilling finish to the 1650m event.
It was a great outcome for the club and Australian trotting with the first three horses being from three different countries of birth.
“It’s probably a first for a Group trotters race in this part if the world and it’s worth mentioning that international mares took two of the first three places,” race sponsor and Australia’s prime mover of trotting Duncan McPherson said.
“I believe an important step for the globalization and internationalization of the industry happened on Saturday night.
“I'm sure as the years go by the race will hold greater significance as a qualifier for the Great Southern Star and a must ‘go to’ race for the Kiwis.
“The Maori Mile is a race that can achieve Group 1 status in the not too distant future.”
There has only been four Maori Mile’s ever run with the first edition of the race in 2010 won by Acacia Ridge.
Ronerail won the mile in 2011 and My Mon Star in 2012. Raced by Lone Star’s Trevor Casey and trained by Mark Purdon, My Escapee is a rising star of Australasian trotting.
The Sundon mare has only raced 25 times but can already boast victories in the NZ Oaks and Derby.
Purdon said that this Australian campaign will see his mare reach her full potential.
“This season will make her and we definitely like what Victoria has to offer,” Purdon said.
The Aldebaran Park Maori Mile provided My Escapee with an invitation to contest the $350,000 Pryde’s EasiFeed Great Southern Star which will be the richest trotting race in Australasia this season.
It will be an annual event in March as part of a new Festival of Trotting and provide an opportunity for participants to seek invitation to compete on the European Grand Circuit.
Organisers expect the event to be the ultimate test of speed and endurance and to showcase the very best of Australasian trotting.
“It will be the only event of its type in the Southern Hemisphere with horses racing off in elimination heats in order to qualify for a starting place in the Final on the same day,” McPherson said.
