3 minute read
It looked set to be another Trinder/McCoull combination day when racing got underway at Devonport on Easter Monday with the pair combining to win the first race with stable newcomer Seydoux who landed some good bets firming from $2.90 to start the $1.75 favourite.
That took their hot streak to 10 wins from their past 19 starts.
But, despite having a couple of favourites later in the day that was their only winner. Instead, it was a veteran on the comeback who continues to grab the headlines.
Kelvin Sanderson who has just returned to the saddle after almost eight years absence stole the show.
At Launceston on Good Friday he landed his first comeback winner, on Easter Monday he landed a winning double.
His first winner was Katzenjammer ($4.20) with a copybook front running ride, his second saw him live up to his nickname 'the iceman' with a cool, ground-saving ride to get up in the last stride aboard Namabaale ($7.50).
After starting from barrier two, Namabaale enjoyed the run of the race, box seating third behind the speed, the 4yo, however, was still in a pocketed inside the final 100m but Sanderson never panicked when a gap opened he drove the horse through to win in a tight photo.
"I had to persevere for it, I preach it to the apprentices, inside runs, everybody fans here in Tasmania but if they had have fanned a little earlier it would have been nice," Sanderson said with a laugh.
The 49yo who celebrated his birthday at the races Monday has certainly taken on a hefty load, riding track work of a morning, driving trucks through the day and still keeping his saddlery business on the go.
"I've been doing that for a fair while now and I'm happy with it. I'm not chasing rides at the moment, I'm deliberately taking my time and trying to get on some nice horses.
Sanderson said he missed the adrenaline rush of race riding and says he still has a way to go before he is back in peak condition.
"It's always a different level from track work to trials to races, I couldn't be happier where I am, but you have seven or eight years out of the game and your race brain just takes a little while to get back into the swing of things."
While Sanderson took riding honours for the day, John Blacker was the leading trainer with a double.
Blonde Suspect landed some good bets ($8.00 into $4.20) when he broke his maiden status at start 20, while Power Magnum ($3.40) lasted to score in another close photo and made it four starts for three wins on the Tapeta surface.
