Sparkling Success has been officially invited to contest the $1 million International Trot at Yonkers Raceway, an invitation his connections appear set to warmly accept.
The seven-figure famed race's hosts used today's Redwood Day to officially invite owners John and Mary Meade and their brilliant six-year-old Great Success trotter to contest the October 13 race in New York.
Owner-breeder-trainer John Meade said Sparkling Success, who ran second Kyvalley Blur in today's Peter Egan Bi-Rite Electrial Trotters Free For All, would be giving him the trip of a lifetime.
“I don’t have a credit card, I don’t have a mobile phone and the only time I like Melbourne is when it’s in the rear view mirror and here I am heading to America," Meade said.
In a special video presentation from the other side of the globe, Yonkers Raceway racing secretary Steve Starr said it was the clubs "pleasure ... to invite you and your horse Sparkling Success to the International Trot on Saturday, October 13".
"We just can't wait to have you accept this invitation on behalf of the trotting races of the world," Mr Starr said. "The race is a mile and a quarter, there are 10 starters, eight behind the gate, two trailers. The purse is $1 million and the winner gets $500,000."
Yonkers Raceway chief operating officer and vice-president Bob Galterio said it would be a huge event.
"This race is more than just a trot," Mr Galtiero said. "It's a whole New York metropolitan experience. It's a tremendous week and we hope to see you there."
As was the case with Maori Time's Elitloppet campaign, Duncan McPherson and Aldebaran Park have again lent their support to aid the internationalisation of Australian trotting, formalising an arrangement with Harness Racing Australia and Sparkling Success's connections to help with the provision of training and preparation and to subsidise some travel expenses.
See their video invite below:
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