IT was the Sanderson family’s night to celebrate at the Swan Hill trots on Wednesday, with trainer Shane Sanderson securing a stable double.
On a night where the favourites dominated, there was no firmer favourite than Sanderson’s colt Dangerous who toyed with his rivals in the Investing.com Economic Calendar Pace over 2240 metres.
With son Ryan driving the $1.04 moral, the race was practically a forgone conclusion before it ran.
Dangerous led throughout from gate two, giving Ryan an armchair drive to run out a 9m victor over Heaven Attracts, with Ajay Breezy Rose following the runner-up all the way.
Half an hour later, it was daughter Abby’s turn to ride a winner with Catalpa Rescue starting from an extreme draw, settling four back in the moving line as favourite Will He Reign was used up to retain the lead from gate two.
When Atego Shades eased three wide to go forward prior to the home turn, Catalpa Rescue immediately latched to his back and finished hard out wide in the straight to record a nose margin over Magic Matteo, giving the brother and sister the quinella.
The drama didn’t finish there, however – upon the return to the all-clear area, the judge and stewards, after looking at the finish, inquired into the posted result.
It took over 40 minutes to decide the final placings.
Track regulars David Murphy and sons Declan and Brett from Dunnstown also had a successful evening scoring a double of their own.
Four-year-old mare Arklow was successful in the opening race on the card with Declan aboard.
Arklow enjoyed a sweet passage from gate three and, after easing three wide on the final bend, finished best to prevail by a half neck over a death-seating Bella Abby, which led on the home turn.
Ideal Copy was third, 3.4m away after following the winner throughout.
The stable made it a double when handy six-year-old mare Final Peace rounded out the evening with a victory in the Investing.com Pace over 1750m.
Driven by David, Final Peace sped across to lead from gate four and was allowed to dictate the race and coasted to the wire 2.9m in advance of Charlton hope Sammys Ideal.
Lexton duo Ash Herbertson (trainer) and son James (driver) snared the Investing.com Commodities Pace over 2240m with Montana Pride, a five-year-old gelded son of Bettors Delight and Courageous Annie in a mile rate of 1-58.4.
Leading throughout from gate five, Montana Pride easily accounted for Terroroan by a huge 16.1m.
The other winners of the night went to Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley’s Kiwi-bred four-year-old mare Mary Austin in the Investing.com Forex Pace, Bendigo’s Alex Ashwood’s Benji Hall in race three and Sutton Grange breeder, owner and trainer Clive Henderson’s filly Edwarde Grange in the penultimate race of the night.
The next Swan Hill meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 7.
