Sanderson family completes back to back Mildura Cups

Eighteen-year-old Abby Sanderson became the youngest harness racing driver to win the prestigious $50,000 Mildura Pacing Cup as the Sanderson family completed back to back success in the race.

Sent out a well backed $2.20 favorite, Dangerous (Sweet Lou) was driven out of the gate by Sanderson crossing to the pegs ahead of the pole marker and fellow heat winner Little Louie.

Sanderson maintained a genuine tempo with Charlton Cup winner Helluva moving around to lead the outside horses and Little Louie behind the leader and hoping for an opening in the straight.

Dangerous surged clear on straightening and finished full of running to defeat a game Helluva by four metres with Little Louie two metres away third in a mile rate of 1:57.9 for the 2600 metres.

DANGEROUSLY GOOD!

Team Sanderson have taken out the Tasco Petroleum Mildura Pacing Cup Final for the second straight year. Abby and Shane Sanderson taking out the feature with Dangerous. pic.twitter.com/stSLzLnxz2

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) April 6, 2024

The winner is trained by Sanderson’s father Shane who also prepared Sahara Tiger to win the cup last year with his son Ryan in the sulky.

It was Sanderson’s second big race win after taking out the $100,000 VHRC Caduceus Club Classic on Catalpa Rescue at Melton last year.

“It’s an unreal feeling to take out the $100,000 race last year and now this one on such quality horses,” Sanderson said.

“I thought if I kept rolling while the moves were being made and then try and get a second quarter breather, then he would be a good show,” she said.

Sanderson conceded Dangerous could prove a difficult horse to steer around the race track.

“He is certainly not an easy horse to get around and you just have to go with him but he was good tonight, he still has his quirks but to his credit he was good tonight,” she said.

It was a relieved Shane Sanderson who spoke to the media after the race.

“I’ve probably never gone into a race being so nervous and I was nervous for Abby because she does so much work behind the scene,” he said.

“She’s a special kid and I’m very proud of her.”

Sanderson believes he may have cured the pacer’s race day antics.

“Touch wood, we are confident we might have him sorted now and we think he can hopefully go on and do a job,” he said.

The win was Dangerous’ ninth success from only 25 starts and takes his career earnings to more than $150,000.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink