Hats off to Anderson

Canterbury junior harness racing driver Matt Anderson won both junior driver events at the Young Quinn raceway at Wyndham on Saturday.

Compliant was the first of the double, winning the Nip Crooks Memorial Junior Drivers Mobile Pace.

The Live Or Die gelding trained by Ken and Tony Barron settled wide early before Anderson took him to the lead with a mile to run.

Rory Mcllwrick surprised all when he whipped Shortys Mate around to the lead with 900 metres to run. Once in front Shortys Mate took Compliant to the passing lane and from there all Anderson had to do was to shake Compliant up and he speared away to beat Shortys Mate by a length and a quarter.

"Yeah he went nice. The Canterbury form stacked up," said Anderson.

The second win came two races later when The High Roller capped off consistent form to win his second race in ten starts.

After being wide at the 800 metres Anderson cleverly slotted the four year old into the one one as Tact Rousey took over as pace maker.

At the 600 Tact Rousey was bolting for driver Chelsea Faithful and when she let the mare go with 450 metres to run, she cut away by five lengths with Anderson and The High Roller the only serious chaser. Tact Rousey hit the wall 50 metres out and The High Roller shot up the inside to nab the lead and win by one and a quarter lengths. 

The High Roller beating Tact Rousey                                      – Photo Bruce Stewart.

"Being a junior drivers race it can be messy in parts but we just navigated our way through. He feels like he can go on with it." 

Last month Anderson scored a double on the same course with Don Domingo and The Best Beg. 

"I get good support from the trainers down here. It just goes to show that if you get support you can capitalise." 
 

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing