New owners hoping to experience some Group 1 Glory

“We’re here for the whole ride, not just Friday.”

Allan and Marie Sadler will experience Group 1 harness racing this week when their horse Blaze Away (Sweet Lou) lines up from barrier 4 in the Gr1 APG Sales Classic for the two-year-old colts and geldings at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The Justin Prentice trained youngster won impressively last Tuesday in his heat when he came from behind to win by a nose on the line, giving his new owners their first win at the gelding’s first start in a race.

“We don’t know what to expect, I watched him run and win his first race, I’ve witnessed that,” Allan said.

“It’s definitely different when you have a vested interest. Your whole demeanour is different and interest in the racing.”

Marie unfortunately was tied up with work commitments for the heats but watched both horses on her phone.

“I was very excited when he won the other day and I don’t even know what that means, whether we won any money. I know nothing, I just know that he won and that’s all I cared about,” Marie said.

“After the race I went with Gary (McRae) to the stables and we spoke to Kim Prentice and he asked me how does it feel to have one start for one win.

“I said I’ll be retiring after second start, second win.

“It’s terrifying to think of that (winning the Group 1).

“It’s a tough field, Justin was talking about how tough the other horses are.”

Owned by the Trotsynd syndicate, Blaze Away was one of two horses up for grabs in the recent Harness The Dream competition presented by the Trots WA, where 32 teams vied for the thrill of racehorse ownership. Allan and Marie were crowned the winners in front of a big crowd on WA Pacing Cup night and, just four weeks later, experienced the winning feeling in the APG heats.

Allan and Marie also received a five per cent share in Heartofahlia as a part of their win in the Harness The Dream competition for 2023, who was unlucky in her heat, finishing fourth after failing to get a run. Heartofahliah is the second emergency in the APG 2YO Fillies Classic final.

A survivor of ovarian cancer, the Team Teal campaign means more to Marie than most, with The Trots WA and RWWA donating $15,000 to the campaign. The WA women have notched up more than 40 wins wearing the teal pants this month.

“I love that The Trots WA is supporting ovarian cancer during the month of February,” Marie said.

We wish Allan and Marie luck with their first horse this Friday in the Group 1 $100,000 APG Colts and Geldings Sales Classic, which jumps at 8.05pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

From RWWA