Sanderson doubles up in NSW Derby assault

Well-travelled Victorian trainer Shane Sanderson has made his return to the Sydney scene a happy one, qualifying two harness racing horses for next weekend’s $200,000 NSW Derby at Club Menangle.

Sanderson’s son Ryan steered the well-backed Catalpa Rescue (American Ideal) to a half-neck win over Spirit Of Arion (Jack Callaghan) and Free Thinker (Grant Dixon) in the second of three Derby heats.

Earlier in the night Sanderson’s other up and comer Dangerous finished a fighting third to Alta Meteor (Art Major, Tim Williams) and Rocknroll Hammer (Luke McCarthy) in the first heat, to also qualify for the blue riband event.

With Sanderson’s daughter Abby suspended, big brother Ryan was happy to hop into the bike for both races.

“This horse (Catalpa Rescue) has been living in the shadows of the other one (Dangerous) a bit,” said Ryan as he returned after the second heat.

“We always thought he had equal ability but we just needed him to put it all together.

“He’s started to do that tonight, so let’s hope he can go on with it now.

CATALPA RESCUE REPLAY

“I hope I can go a bit better on Dangerous next week and hopefully beat Abby, who’ll probably get back on this horse in the Derby final.”

New Zealand’s premier reinsman Tim Williams also made his night worthwhile when he scored with Alta Meteor, following his disappointments in the night’s other features.

“He’s a quick horse when he comes off a helmet,” said Williams.

“Full credit to this horse, he’s had a pretty hectic seven or eight days.

“But when he got clear he picked them up pretty quickly tonight.

“He was really competitive in some of the two-year-old Group 1s back at home in New Zealand last year.

“He’d have no trouble being in front and I think would be just as effective, but he’s really good following the speed as well.

“If he gets the right draw and the right trip he’ll be right there at the finish next week.”

ALTA METEOR REPLAY

The third Derby heat saw an upset result when the unwanted outsider of the field Naturally Gifted (Sweet Lou) ($55), with Cameron Hart aboard, came with a storming finish to blow away his rivals to beat Better Be The Best (Nathan Turnbull) and Sweetheart Bart (Luke McCarthy) in a 1:55.6 mile rate.

NATURALLY GIFTED REPLAY

The final field for next week’s NSW Derby, with the barrier draw still to come is:

Alta Meteor, Rocknroll Hammer, Dangerous, Catalpa Rescue, Spirit Of Arion, Free Thinker, Naturally Gifted, Better Be The Best, Sweetheart Bart, Sure Thing Captain, (Em 1): Hold Onto Ya Bling, (Em 2): Blazing Home.

For complete race results, click here.

From Club Menangle