Sanderson declares Dangerous will strip fitter at Melton

Trainer Shane Sanderson predicts he will harness up a more ripped Dangerous (Sweet Lou) in the Happy 60^th Jeff Ewing 3YO Pace at Melton on Saturday night.

A fortnight ago Dangerous straightened in front before being beaten into fifth place behind Final Collect after making a three wide run without cover for the final 1000 metres of the race.

“He was travelling nicely on the home turn and then didn’t finish it off, but he blew up a bit after the race so I have to put my hand up to the fact he got away from me, second-up and without a trial,” Sanderson said.

“We got his blood done after the race and fixed a few little things, and he’ll be fitter this week.”

The Charlton-based Sanderson said Dangerous had always shown the ability to compete against the best of his age.

“He stood out early in the way he moved, he ticked all the boxes,” he said.

Dangerous’ busy three-year-old itinerary includes the Nutrien Equine Classic along with the Victoria Derby heats and Vicbred Super Series.

“There is the Breeders Crown in there as well, but he can’t run in everything and he’ll need a break at some stage because he’s been in work for a long time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sanderson has no qualms in noted sit-sprinter Vanquish Stride contesting the Blacks A Fake Free For All from the pole draw earlier in the night.

Vanquish Stride’s only outing at Free For All level was four starts ago when he finished last in a field of eight – beaten 6.4 metres – after behind held up for a clear run in the home straight.

“I think he’s up to the them and he’s got a sneaky chance from the draw as he’s going to be either behind the leader or three back along the pegs,” Sanderson said.

Sanderson’s other runner at the meeting, Platinum Stride, deserves to find the winner’s stall after finishing runner-up at his past three starts.

“He’s been a model of consistency in the past month and this race isn’t beyond him,” he said.

Sanderson acknowledged Platinum Stride won’t be able to make full use of his favorable front line barrier (two).

“We can’t cross Mighty Flying Art from the pole, so Ryan (Sanderson) will save some petrol, take hold and hopefully get on the back of the right horse,” he said.

Star mare Queen Elida will draw plenty of attention when she returns to Melton for the night’s feature, the $30,000 Hip Pocket Workwear Castlemaine Matriarch Trot.

Brent Lilley’s squaregaiter will start a red-hot favourite as she goes in search of her seventh win from 11 starts this season.

The opening race of 10 kicks off at 4.57pm, with Dan Mielicki, Rob Auber, Steve Cleave and Kirsten Graham heading up the TrotsVision coverage.

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harness Racing Victoria