Surprise visit from winning trotter

Feb 26, 2023

Striking up a friendship: William Kerison with his new friend, Toff, at Bupa Aged Care in Echuca. Photo by Contributed

Retired trotter Waikare Aristocrat surprised residents at the BUPA Aged Care facility in Echuca on Tuesday, February 21.

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Rochester Community House arranged the visit in partnership with Rochester and Elmore District Health Service as a flood-recovery activity.

A number of former REDHS aged-care residents were relocated to BUPA following last year’s flood event.

Waikare Aristocrat, or “Toff” to his friends, was a 15-time winner, earning almost $125,000 on the track prior to his retirement in 2015.

He enjoys a full and active life after racing.

As a member of the Heroes for Humans equine assisted learning team at Myola, near Colbinabbin, he works with clients in a therapeutic environment and provides riding lessons for aspiring equestrians.

Even in retirement, he takes part in a wide and varied range of promotional events and often steals the show from other guests.

He also regularly returns to the racetrack as a companion for young horses at the start of their career.

Toff is owned by Rochester Community House Flood Recovery Co-ordinator Tanya McDermott and her husband Graham.

His visit to BUPA was his first aged-care outing.

He behaved impeccably in the new environment and even managed to charm the staff and residents during his visit.

He was following in the footsteps of fellow Standardbred Patamanda Rose, aka “Rosie”, who was a much-loved visitor of REDHS aged care with RCH manager Amanda Logie.

“It was such a privilege to share Toff with the BUPA family; he always excels when presented with a new challenge and his interactions with the residents were truly heart-warming,” Ms McDermott said.

“He’s a very special horse who wins fans wherever he goes and it was lovely to hear people reliving fond memories of days gone by when they had personal experiences with horses.

“The impact of the flood has been difficult for the entire Rochester community, but particularly the older generation; every little thing that helps to brighten their days is enormously worthwhile.”