Redwood Day at Maryborough this Sunday is one of most keenly anticipated dates on the Australian harness racing calendar.
Two trotting only meetings are being held on Friday and Sunday this week with the two Group 1 races on the Sunday being the highlights
This year there is another strong contingent of Kiwi trotters involved but to say they have received the visitors draw is an understatement.
There are three Kiwi trotters involved in the $50,500 Redwood Classic for two year olds but all of them have drawn in the carpark.
The outstanding Muscles Yankee filly High Gait has drawn the best of the Kiwis at barrier 6 and she will probably move into barrier five if the emergency doesn't get a start.
After her recent trial at Menangle where she broke 1:56 for the mile with ease, High Gait looks the one to beat post draw.
The Paul Nairn trained Conon Bridge has copped the worst possible marble for a horse who can be a touch unruly, drawing one on the second line.
Up till now the son of Raffaello Ambrosia has started from the unruly position in all his mobile starts and his draw on Sunday means the Nairn camp will be crossing their fingers through the first 100 metres.
The third of the Kiwi runners in the two year old Redwood Classic is Missandei and the daughter of Angus Hall is right out in the carpark at five on the second line.
Missandei won her only start since crossing the Tasman but the draw makes her task to beat High Gait again very difficult.
The other Group 1 on Sunday is the $75,000 Victorian Derby and the outstanding New Zealand three year old Speeding Spur is another Kiwi to be handed a horror draw.
Speeding Spur will start from six on the second line and will need all favours from out there to be a winning chance.
Arya will start from barrier four so she instantly becomes a great each way chance while the top local Illawong Armstrong has also drawn the second line but his last win over Arya was outstanding and with any luck early he will be a big threat..
Harnesslink Media