Cup win was “Abb-solutely” a family team effort

Victorian rising star young gun Abby Sanderson says she has never had to look far for inspiration and motivation as she set about carving a career in harness racing.

Sanderson, 18, became the youngest driver to win the TASCO Petroleum Mildura Pacing Cup on Saturday night (Apr 6) when she showed composure and maturity to pilot Dangerous (Sweet Lou) to an all-the-way victory – her second group-level success.

The win was for her trainer dad Shane, and Abby is quick to point out that everything in the family business is a team effort.

“I always wanted to do the horses for as long as I can remember. I just loved them. I was always out there in my pink gumboots trying to get in the cart with dad and help out around the stables, and I got into mini trots as soon as I could,” Sanderson said.

“Mum and dad were the inspiration – they were doing well and I looked up to them on what they did and how they did it,” she said.

Shane and Naomi established themselves in the sport in Queensland and spent time at Menangle before moving south to Victoria in early 2021 to open up opportunities for their two children, Ryan and Abby.

The siblings have made the most of their faith, with Ryan, one of Victoria’s leading young drivers and Abby now forging her own path as a driver.

“We’re usually working around 20 horses and everything is a team effort. Dad and Ryan and I are the ones everyone sees, and it’s probably mum who’s a bit more in the background but she’s the key to it all,” Sanderson said.

“She doesn’t come to the races much, but her horse knowledge is terrific. She’s the one with all the veterinary knowledge and the one who makes sure everything is done professionally and she’s the backbone of everything.”

Abby was gifted the drive on Dangerous in the Mildura Cup with her brother only now returning to driving after recovery from concussion in a car accident two weeks ago – but he was the first to throw his arms around Abby when she returned to the presentation area with Dangerous.

“I’m three from three on Dangerous now! I told the owners after the race we might put Ryan back on when he needs to drop a point or two!” Sanderson laughed.

“No, I’m joking, I’m not too sure who will be driving him now, he’s been Ryan’s horse and I’ve paired up with Catalpa Rescue, who’s the same class.

“I might be biased, but I think Ryan’s a great driver – like on Sahara Tiger (who won the Mazzetti Pace at Mildura) when he pushed through from the wide back row draw to put him in a good position in the run. I don’t think many drivers his age could do that.

“Ryan’s always so supportive of me and happy for me and helps me so much. His success has been a big part of my motivation in driving and he’s definitely an inspiration to me.”

Another of Victoria’s emerging young reinswomen Ewa Justice finished second in the Mildura Cup with Helluva and Sanderson said the current cohort of young women coming through in the sport were fortunate to have plenty of role models to follow.

“That was pretty cool to quinella the cup,” she said.

“Kerryn (Manning), Ellen (Tormey) and Kate (Gath) are ones that have always been there doing a great job and showing us what you can do in the sport. They’re all really supportive of us, and always there for advice and encouragement.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink