The three-time New Zealand Cup champion was the star attraction at Forbury Park on Thursday night as the Forbury Park Trotting Club saluted the horses - and the infantry - that went to war.
The entire, who is set to stand at stud in the next breeding season, did three laps of the Forbury Park track, with regular driver Ricky May buzzing the modern marvel up for the last 400m.
Every time he went past the winning post, an appreciative crowd applauded and he paraded in a special Anzac dress rug as the New Zealand flag was raised, the Ode was read and the Last Post and Reveille were played.
McDonald spent 12 years living in Dunedin and was more than happy to bring his champion down from Christchurch for the night.
''We were happy to do that - anything for the industry,'' McDonald said.
''It needs a bit of a boost and he has sort of been the glamour horse with a lot of people.''
Dunedin grew on McDonald - he explained how a short-term stay turned into a long one.
''I came down here for 12 months in 1972 and didn't leave until 1984,'' he said.
''I met a lot of good people down here. I raced a lot of horses with my good friend Eddie Griffin and still do, actually. We've raced horses for over 35 years together.''
Terror To Love's last public appearance before he goes to stud will be at Addington later this month, capping off three special nights starting with his huge run for third in the Easter Cup last month.
After that, Terror To Love will let down completely in preparation for stud duties, and McDonald can then fully reflect on what he achieved - especially on the second Tuesday in November.
''It's been a great ride,'' he said.
''I'm at home on my own and I've got the photos - the house is wrecked with earthquakes.
''I have a look around the lounge - I don't put them up on the walls because of the earthquakes in case we get another one - and I see the three New Zealand Cups there, and it's marvellous to able to see that.''
