Four-year reunion a happy one

By Tim O’Connor (HRV)

There was a happy reunion between Mark Pitt and Sundons Courage at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night.

Pitt had teamed up with Chris Angove’s squaregaiter just once in his 133-start career before getting the call-up for the Group 3 Lenin Trotters Free For All and produced a brilliant pegs-hugging drive to guide the veteran nine-year-old to victory.

After starting from barrier eight, Sundons Courage ended up four back along the inside when Chris Lang sent Ultimate Stride to the lead down the back straight the first time. Locked up with seemingly nowhere to go, Pitt and his charge were able to creep up to a spot behind the leader in the final lap thanks to Travel Bug (Jason McNaulty/Anthony Butt) and Nephew Of Sonoko (Ross Graham/James Herbertson) both moving away from the inside. And when daylight came in the straight, Sundons Courage showed his customary speed and charged clear to win by more than five metres.

Brandlo Prince (Chris Svanosio) was second with Wobelee (Alison Alford/Chris Alford) third.

“Not many people wanted to be on the fence in that race, but I did,” Pitt said.

“He’s good and fast when he’s on song and that’s how he was tonight.”

Career victory 25 took Sundons Courage’s earnings up over $400,000, with his headline victory being the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series 2YO Trotting Colts and Geldings Final in 2015.

“He’s been a great old horse,” said Pitt, who last drove Sundons Courage to third in June 2018.

“He’s raced the best from the two-year-olds right through until now and he’s still racing as good as what he was as a young horse, which is a big credit to Chris and all the team that have got him to where he is today.

“It’s a big effort racing at the top level throughout your career.”

Andy Gath-trained star Majestuoso was first-up from a break in Saturday night’s Lenin Trotters Free For All and could only manage seventh, beaten almost 20m.

Pitt also won the Allied Express Melton Mares Championship with Emma Stewart-trained Treachery and the Hip Pocket Workwear Pace with stablemate Cant Top This to complete a treble on the night.

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