Anderson in high spirits

Graeme Anderson is in high spirits ahead of harness racing at Addington Raceway on Friday night. On Thursday (Jul. 7), the Westwood trainer celebrated the maiden victory of juvenile pacer Spirit Of Arion (Sweet Lou) at Wyndham and he believes the son of Sweet Lou has a bright future.

“We won a nice two-year-old race today at Wyndham with Spirit Of Arion, he is a nice horse,” said Anderson, who trains in partnership with Mike Love.

Anderson will be looking to add to his winning tally at Addington Raceway on Friday where in-form trotter Majestic Rollon (Majestic Son) will contest the Bainbridge Handicap Trot (2600m).

The five-year-old mare heads into the race in good form, having placed in her last two starts following her victory at Ashburton in May.

Anderson was pleased with her last start run and said he has received positive reports from caretaker trainer Brent White.

“She is up at Brent White’s and he said she has worked well, he is really happy with her,” Anderson said.

“She went very well last start because she has been away from racing for a little while. I thought that run was very good.”

The mare will start from behind the 10m tape and Anderson expects her to make her usual flying start.

“She normally trots away quite well. We are expecting a good run from her, they (White) are quite confident.”

With limited opportunities closer to home, Anderson said his mare will likely stay in White’s care in the immediate future.

“Since there is no racing in the south we will keep her up north for the moment,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anderson has been enjoying watching the success of his former pacer Spirit Of St Louis (Sweet Lou) in Australia.

The gelding won eight of his 19 starts in New Zealand, and placed in the Listed PGG Wrightson Standardbred ‘Harness 7000’ Mobile Pace (1980m) and Gr.3 The Founders Cup (2200m).

Since crossing the Tasman he has won a further 11 races, including two at Group One level, and a further five at stakes level.

“He is going great,” Anderson said. “It is very exciting and easy to watch on TV. We will have to get over and have a look at him one day.

“We knew he was a good horse. He was very impressive at Christchurch one day and he came home and was a bit sick. His leg got a little cut in a fence accident and he took a while to get over it but since he got over there he is with the right trainer and he is thriving.

“He has always had that high speed and good gait. It is all coming to fruition now, which is good.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Joshua Smith, for Harness News Desk