Sanderson chasing a dream night at Melton

There are just three more sleeps until the biggest night of top young driver Ryan Sanderson’s harness racing career.

Not only will he drive in his first Victoria Cup – the Cox Plate of harness racing – on Bay Of Biscay (Somebeachsomewhere), but Sanderson also has a stunning set of feature drives outside of that.

The best of them is one of his favourites, star three-year-old Fox Dan, in the $150,000 Group 1 Victoria Derby.

He drove the pocket rocket to a fantastic second in last month’s TAB Eureka and again for an impressive Derby heat win after parking outside the leader last week.

“He’s just a pro and so tough,” he said. “He did it really well last week.”

Although a pole draw looks good on paper, Sanderson is wary of the gate speed outside him, especially from blazing Queenslander Final Deadline (gate seven).

“He flew out and crossed them last week and might do the same this time,” he said. “I’d still rather have the pole. He’ll get out quicker than a lot of people think, my guy. I’ve had many chances to really ask him off the gate.”

Sanderson drives leading contender Let Her Roll from gate 11 in the $150,000 Group 1 Victoria Oaks final.

“She just got out-pinged by the winner (Golden Shooz), who really sprinted quickly last week,” he said. “She’ll be fitter and I really like her. She’ll be right in the finish, I’m sure.”

Sanderson is also looking forward to partnering the unraced Clayton Tonkin and Emma Stewart-trained youngster Most Exciting in the Shakamaker Classic 2YO Classic (race two).

“He’s felt like a really professional little racehorse and he ran a 55sec half at the trials,” he said. “He’s taking on some experienced and talented babies, but you always know Emma and Clayton have them ready to go.”

In the Victoria Cup, Sanderson knows the tempo of the race will be crucial to his chances from gate 10 on Bay Of Biscay.

“We know he’s good enough. He finished it off really well from a mile back last week,” he said.

“It’ll be interesting how the race is run, but it’s good for us all having Leap To Fame drawn where he is.

“If I got the chance to trail him somewhere or somehow, that would be great.

“I’ve been lucky enough to drive in some big races already, but I’ve never had a night like this with so many good drives in big races.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Victoria