David Van Ryn sets his sights on Heidi George Classic

David Van Ryn has his sights set on etching Tooby Gold’s (Sportswriter) name on the honour roll of the Heidi George Classic for 2024 ahead of her harness racing heat appearance on Sunday at Echuca.

The series was set up by Dr Kath McIntosh from Llowalong Farms for mid-class pacing mares, last year’s inaugural series was taken out by the Ellen Jones-prepared Ellas Reason.

This year’s series will be run with heats at Echuca (September 22) and Swan Hill (October 1) before the final at Bendigo on October 9.

Van Ryn, 47, would love to give something back to the owners of the mare, who have been incredible to the Marong horseman.

“It is a $15,000 race (the final) and it is a really good target for her and it would be good to give something back to the owners,” Van Ryn said.

“The owners have been terrific and they just love the horse and it makes life very easy.”

The mare out of Tess Finnegan has been a work in progress for the 47-year-old winning just five races in 54-starts.

“She always tries and is a good honest little horse,” he said. “She has gotten a lot tougher in the last probably six-months.

“She is just a lovely little horse and continues to be competitive wherever we go.” 

Developing reinsman Ryan Sanderson is set to continue his relationship with the five-year-old.

The 21-year-old has driven the mare on 21 occasions.

“Ryan (Sanderson) has been driving all my horses and I like sticking with one driver and I don’t like swapping and changing,” he said.

Tooby Gold has drawn four for the 1755m trip.

“The draw is a little bit tricky,” he said. “We won’t cross Spun Silver (two) because she flies out and I wouldn’t expect them to surrender the front over the 1700m.

“Hopefully she can just slot across and not do too much work early and we get a bit of luck.”

The $15,000 final for the series is set for October 9 at Bendigo with the winner to receive an engraved trophy, rug and a Llowalong Farms sire service fee.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria