Sundons Courage winds back the clock

Sundons Courage (Sundon), a stalwart of Victorian trotting, is closing in on $500,000 in stake earnings after he accounted for his more fancied harness racing rivals in the Aldebaran Park Trotters Free For All at Melton. 

Jack Laugher, taking the reins behind Sundons Courage for the first time, allowed the son of Sundon to lob along on the pegs at the rear of the field while the $2.20 favorite Aldebaran Vera took up the front running.  

Sundons Courage ($23) was still last around the final bend, however once in sprint lane the 11-year-old displayed a scintillating turn of foot to reel in the leaders down the home stretch and score running away from stable mate Ebonys Avenger in a mile rate of 1:58.1. 

Laugher said the Chris Angove trained winner was an old marvel. 

“It’s the first time I have driven him and he went super,” Laugher said. 

“He just keeps getting the job done and I think he’s won a race every season he’s been racing,” he said. 

Sundons Courage has taken out the Aldebaran Park Trotters Free For All for Jack Laugher and trainer Chris Angove. pic.twitter.com/LFMq7VBzFm

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) August 10, 2024

Laugher said a change of gear proved effective after Sundons Courage overraced when unplaced at Melton the previous week. 

“Last week he just got too fired up and they changed the bit around so I just kept him quiet in the warm up and he seemed fine, he settled better in the race tonight and obviously the bit worked wonders,” he said. 

“They said he had been working well but things just haven’t been going his way at the races.” 

Sundons Courage, who has sired 25 live foals, has now won 27 races along with 39 placings and has amassed prize money of $499,055. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink