Scotch Notch

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Scotch Notch (1977–1990) was an Australian Standardbred mare and one of the great trotting horses of her era. Born in Victoria, she was by Scottish Bret from Ada Glenfern, with Tarport Kid as the maternal grandsire. Trained and driven by Graeme Lang for owner James Y. Wong, Scotch Notch began racing as a three-year-old and quickly showed her talent.

She did not race at two, but as a three-year-old she won at Moonee Valley in the Victoria Trotters Oaks. At four she dominated, winning 11 of 13 starts. As a five-year-old she won major races in Australia and New Zealand, including two wins in the 1983 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship heats in Auckland, where she beat Sir Castleton and set a world record for the event’s distance.

In 1984 she again contested the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship, winning two heats but finishing second in the final in Adelaide. The following year, at Moonee Valley in 1985, Scotch Notch won the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship for a second time, defeating Sir Castleton in the final. Shortly after, she set a world and Australasian record for trotting mares with a mile-rate time of 1:55.6.

Her performances earned her several awards, including Australian Trotter of the Year in 1983, 1984 and 1985, and NZ Trotter of the Year in 1983. She also earned stake money recognition and was later honored in the Inter Dominion Hall of Fame.

Scotch Notch spent part of 1985 racing in the United States under trainer Mike Gagliardi, with a US record of 16 starts for five wins and seven placings. Her last Australian start came in 1985, and she retired from racing in 1987 after a notable international campaign.

In 1988 she was bred to Speedy Crown, and their foal Speedy Scotch was born in Australia but did not race; he later went to stud. Speedy Crown produced many offspring, including Melancholy Comment, who won races in the 2:00 range.

Scotch Notch passed away in 1990. Her ashes are laid to rest at the Garden of Honour at the Shepparton Harness Racing Club, marking her lasting legacy in Australian harness racing. The sport honors her with the Group 3 Scotch Notch race named in her memory.