Teen scores first metro win

By Michael Howard (HRV)

It was a big night for Abby Sanderson at Shepparton last Saturday, a young driver who took the reins for the first time in a metropolitan race and – true to her recent form – delivered another winner.

Sanderson was in complete control of the Barastoc Pace, working to the front on Julie Douglas’s Mighty Flying Art and then switching off through a 31.4-second second quarter.

The well-paced breather left her six-year-old gelding with plenty in the tank for a 27.5-second last quarter and he held out Cool Rocking Daddy to score.

“It’s my first metro meeting and I’m really excited,” Sanderson told TrotsVision. “It was good that he drew barrier one, knowing he had a lot of gate speed and the small field helped him out.

“When Struve went back at the start I knew I would take some running down because he would have to catch me. It was good that I could get that cheap quarter and it made it hard for him.”

Leading into the night the 17-year-old had produced 13 wins across 178 starts but none as rich as the night’s $20,000 pace for horses rated 78 to 97, which was one of three wins by the Douglas camp at Shepparton.

They also scored with Would You Mind, who was ultra impressive in winning the ID22 Heats @ Shepparton Claiming Pace, running past favourite Sicario.

Ellen Tormey was in the sulky and then she paired with Douglas for more success in the Neatline Homes Pace, with brilliant pacing warrior Bernie Winkle registering a 58th win courtesy of a trademark sprint lane burst.

Sanderson credited the Douglas team for giving her terrific support.

“They’ve been great – Glenn, Julie, Eric (Anderson) all the team,” she said. “They’ve been really good and give you a good opportunity.”

The next edition of the Moorabool News is now available to read online.
Simply click on the following link, READ THE LATEST EDITION, and flip through the pages
http://themooraboolnews.com.au/