Queensland harness racing trainer Shane Sanderson has contemplated a move to New South Wales for several years. He showed interest in relocating when Tabcorp Park Menangle became the state's metropolitan track and there were plans of stabling on the 1400 metre track.
While the planning and building of the new Menangle Training Centre was taking place, Sanderson decided to walk away from fulltime horse training and returned to a fulltime job in a central Queensland mine. The family man is taking a calculated risk – walking away from his secure job to take up residence at the new training centre with a team of horses.
"I'll be ready to move in when the centre is open at the end of January, it is quite exciting for me but it wasn't an easy decision for me personally," Sanderson said.
"I've given up a tough job but one that I enjoy in the mines in an attempt to achieve something that I really want to do, I want to be a fulltime trainer in Sydney where harness racing is moving in the right direction."
Sanderson will be leaving behind his family in Queensland in the short term and hopes they will be able to relocate.
"The family has made a lot of sacrifices for this opportunity and leaving them behind while I'm in Sydney is the hardest thing for me but hopefully they will be able to join me after a few months once I get fully set up.
"I know I need to hit the ground running, I'll be arriving with ten or eleven horses, six of those I've been training here in Queensland while I have purchased three recently from New Zealand so it will give me something to work with."
With a small but solid group of owners supporting his move, Sanderson is hoping to attract new clients when he does arrive in New South Wales.
"My owners are great, I've been able to put a few of them in together to purchase these horses from New Zealand but I know that I'm going to need other owners once I get started in Sydney to keep the horses coming through the stable.
"The only way you attract owners is with success so I need to train my share of winners as soon I arrive, I understand that."
Sanderson enjoyed the biggest win of his training career at Menangle in 2010 when Maywyn Jasper won the Australian Pacing Gold final for three year old colts and geldings.
"That was a very strong crop of three year olds, Maywyn Jasper beat For A Reason and Renaissance Man when he won the APG and I really thought he was going to be the horse that put me on the map but he had some issues that finished his career.
"He had a lung problem and had a throat operation but still struggled to breathe, he was a special horse."
Maywyn Jasper won 11 of his 32 starts and Sanderson has also had success with horses like Maywyn Tonz and in more recent times My Jellignite.
"My Jellignite has done a good job in the free-for-all grade up in Brisbane and I've won a few races in New South Wales with other horses when I have travelled previously.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge, with the family still in Queensland I will be spending 24 hours a day with the horses it is going to be tough but I'm ready for the challenge."
Greg Hayes