Mares’ features added to trotting calendar

IN A move which could prolong careers and improve breeding value, Harness Racing Victoria has added four mares’ trotting events to the calendar.

To be contested at Tabcorp Park Melton under free-for-all conditions, the features have been named in honour of a quartet of former stars.

Amazingly, two of the honourees belong to the same family, with Maori Miss joined by her great granddaughter Sumthingaboutmaori.

A magnificent dual-gaited performer, winning as a pacer and trotter, Maori Miss eclipsed her racing feats as a broodmare.

One of the most pre-potent producers in the world, Maori Miss had the outstanding ability to reproduce the same qualities in her progeny regardless of the sire!

Maori Miss won 20 races, including a heat of the 1965 Australasian Trotters’ Championship, and two heats of the 1966 Inter Dominion Trotters’ Championship at Harold Park.

Almost four decades later Sumthingaboutmaori captured the Inter Dominion Trotters’ Championship at Moonee Valley.

A triple Group One winner, Sumthingaboutmaori was sent to the breeding barn with 31 wins, eight seconds and eight thirds from 75 starts for earnings of $461,499.

LA COOCARACHA

The darling of Australian trotting during the 1950s, Carlotta’s Pride’s illustrious career saw her register 45 wins, including prestigious events such as the 1956 and ’58 V L Dullard Cups.

By Peter Mcelwyn from Carlotta Redmond, the squaregaiter was also successful in the South Australia, Shepparton and Sydney Spring Cups.

Last, but not least, is La Coocaracha, which thrilled onlookers with her brilliance during the early 2000s.

Spanish for The Cockroach, La Coocaracha captured five Group Ones on both sides of the Tasman.

As a matron the pacing-bred daughter of Safely Kept has produced seven winners from nine starters, including Group One winners Dance Craze and Reina Danzante, which is Spanish for Dancing Queen!

Mares’ Free-For-All Dates:

October 6, 2018 – $20,000 Maori Miss Trotters’ Free-For-All

November 10, 2018 – $20,000 La Coocaracha Trotters’ Free-For-All

February 9, 2019 – $20,000 Carlotta’s Pride Trotters’ Free-For-All

July 27, 2019 – $20,000 Sumthingabourmaori Trotters’ Free-For-All