There are only three sleeps left until the biggest night of young top driver Ryan Sanderson’s career.
Not only will he race in his first Victoria Cup – harness racing’s Cox Plate – in the Bay of Biscay (Somewhere on the beach), but Sanderson also has a stunning array of feature drives beyond that.
The best of them is one of his favourites, three-year-old Fox Dan, in the $150,000 Group 1 Victoria Derby.
He rode the pocket rocket to a fantastic second place in last month’s TAB Eureka and again for an impressive victory in the Derby heat after parking outside the leader last week.
“He’s just a professional and so tough,” he said. “He did very well last week.”
While a pole draw looks good on paper, Sanderson is wary of the gate speed outside him, especially due to the lightning-fast Queenslander Final Deadline (gate seven).
“He flew there last week and crossed them and might do the same this time,” he said. “I still prefer pole. He’ll come out quicker than a lot of people think, my man. I’ve had a lot of chances to really ask him out of the gate.”
Sanderson ousts leading runner Let Her Roll from gate 11 in the $150,000 Group 1 Victoria Oaks final.
“She just got pinged by the winner (Golden Shooz), who sprinted really fast last week,” he said. “She’s getting fitter and I really like her. She’ll get right to the finish, I’m sure.”
Sanderson is also looking forward to teaming up with unraced Clayton Tonkin and Emma Stewart-trained youngster Most Exciting in the Shakamaker Classic 2YO Classic (race two).
“He felt like a very professional little racehorse and he ran a 55-second half at the trials,” he said. “He takes on some experienced and talented babies, but you always know Emma and Clayton have them ready.”
In the Victoria Cup, Sanderson knows the pace of the race will be crucial to his chances from gate 10 on the Bay of Biscay.
“We know he is good enough. He finished very well last week, a kilometer back,” he said.
“It will be interesting how the race is run, but it is good for all of us that Leap To Fame is signed where it is.
“If I had the opportunity to follow him somewhere or in some way, that would be great.
“I’ve been lucky enough to ride in some big races, but I’ve never had a night like this with so many good rides in big races.”
For full race entries, click here.
Through Adam Hamiltonfor Harness Racing Victoria
#Sanderson #chases #dream #night #Melton