Maroons top off a memorable day

Good-humored Charlton harness racing trainer Shane Sanderson was understandably pleased by a double with a difference yesterday (Jul. 13).

Sanderson ventured to Hamilton for the very first time and watched talented two-year-old Dangerous (Sweet Lou) post an impressive win on debut-and then hours later cheered home his beloved Queensland in the 2022 State of Origin rugby decider.

“It wasn’t too bad of a day – Dangerous showed us that he does seem to be the horse we thought he was, then it was a great win by the Maroons over the Blues,” Sanderson said.

“The only disappointing part was we had to watch the game on the live stream on a little computer screen because the TV reception here was so terrible,” the former A Grade Rugby League player said.

Wind the clock back a little more than two decades ago and Sanderson was a promising talent gaining selection in both Queensland and Australian under 19 Rugby League representative teams – but despite his passion for the sport, it’s fair to say Rugby League was probably a long way from his mind early yesterday afternoon at Hamilton.

Dangerous, driven by Sanderson’s son Ryan, was restrained back to near last from barrier six. With the speed on from the start (26.7 first quarter), the pacer was six lengths or more off the leaders at the bell. After gradually improving, he was running second on the home corner and looked super impressive in striding away up the straight in a time of 1.54-9.

DANGEROUS REPLAY

Sanderson said the stable had always had high hopes for Dangerous.

“We trialled him a few months ago and he showed he had a bit of class. When he started getting too keen, we backed off and ended up giving him a break,” he said.

“This time in he’s been relaxed and very laid back. I haven’t taken him to the trials. I just thought I’d prefer to work him along with some others at home.

“The powerful way he went to the line was exciting. Ryan was very happy with him, and I reckon he may have had a bit left up his sleeve as well.”

Shane, nearing his 600th career training win, has eight wins and 24 placings this season with his last 10 starters finishing no further back than fourth. But Shane and his wife Naomi are justifiably most proud of the achievements of their children Ryan and Abby.

Both have been in brilliant form in recent weeks. Ryan, 19, has 57 winners for the season with 107 placings and well on target to improve on his tally of 64 last season.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Abby, who now has two metro wins from as many drives, has landed 10 wins for the season with 30 placings.

Sanderson is working a team of 15 out of the Charlton Training Centre, with the majority of the stable being two-year-olds.

Dangerous is raced by a group of friends including enthusiastic Sanderson clients Paul and Danny Lowry and Max Dillon. The pacer is out of former prolific racemare Ark Monroe, who won 14 races for the late Bill Dixon and his son Grant. The mare has had mixed results as a broodmare. Apart from Dangerous, just two others of her progeny have made it to the track. Eleniark (Somebeachsomewhere) won 23 races with 22 placings, while Ark Teamo (Rock N Roll Heaven) finished with six wins and 14 placings.

In her first season, Ark Monroe missed getting in foal. Then came Eleniark and Ark Teamo. The following four seasons she missed again, then produced a filly and colt (both unraced) by Art Major with Dangerous in between. Her last foal, sired by Captain Crunch, unfortunately died.

Sanderson said he was glad the past few months had produced some good results.

“It’s nice to be on top of things again. We had a rough time there for a little bit,” he said.

“Apart from Dangerous, we’ve got another very nice one in Catalpa Rescue (American Ideal). They are our top two as far as the two-year-olds go, although there are some others that are shaping up okay and look like they will be quite handy.”

“We were impressed by the Hamilton track. It was nearly a three-hour trip, but it was good. I reckon they will see a bit more of us down that way now,” Shane laughed.

For complete race results, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink