The TAB Redwood Rattler is set to depart once again to the time-honoured all-trotting meeting that will include feature Group 1s, the $50,000 Aldebaran Park Redwood Classic and the $75,000 Haras des Trotteurs Victoria Trotters Derby.
Maryborough Harness Racing Club has once again arranged the Redwood Rattler, a most unique method of attending a race meeting.
The $130 package deal includes return rail fare from Southern Cross via Melton and Bacchus Marsh, track entry, a two-course roast, race book, stubby holder, $20 punters’ club ticket and a complimentary ticket in a draw for a $2000 gold nugget.
Club manager Les Chapman told TrotsLife there have been a few stops on the way to getting the Rattler organised.
“We are hoping that the Rattler will be a cracker again this year, a great way to get to the trots,” he said.
Stories from the Redwood Day are etched into folklore both on the track and off the track, like the day Lenny Baker returned $128 for the punters’ club.
Matt Gillespie, a volunteer to 707 Operations joined the show as well, to talk about their volunteer group that restores the trains and runs the train for the trip.
“If you ask anyone that has been on one of our trips, especially the weekend ones, they end up with an experience they’ll never forget,” he said.
“(They) were made specifically for the Victorian railways and they’ve done their time and just been lovingly refurbished by 707 over the years.”
HERE THE FULL CHAT WITH LES CHAPMAN AND MATT GILLESPIE ON TROTSLIFE:
