A pair of Queenslanders is set to team together and take on Sydney. Following the news that talented young horseperson Narissa McMullen has made the move south of the border, astute harness racing trainer Shane Sanderson left Brisbane today (Tuesday) bound for Menangle.
Sanderson will train and operate exclusively from the new state of the art training complex based on course at Tabcorp Park Menangle, in Sydney’s south-west.
The move has been on the cards for some time now for Sanderson who left his position in the Queensland mines to become a full-time trainer.
And now Sanderson will join forces with McMullen at the state’s premier track.
“The barns officially opened across the weekend and I’m looking forward to getting down there and setting up with my team of horses. I have taken a barn that accommodates twenty horses and I have about a dozen to work with while Narissa will have her small team of three or four and just like in Brisbane, she will be my stable driver.” Sanderson said.
The combination has combined in recent times at Albion Park with good success and will look to consolidate that partnership once in Sydney together.
Sanderson is no stranger to success at the big spacious track after landing the Gr.1 $100,000 Australian Pacing 3yo Colts and Geldings Final at Menangle with Maywyn Jasper back in 2010.
“That brings back great memories because he was a very talented horse but he had a lot of issues and unfortunately, we never saw the very best of him. I’m hoping I’ve got the right mix of horses because I need to hit the ground running so hopefully I’ve timed my run to perfection.
“I’ve given all my team a blow and trained them back-up again and most are at racing stage now so we’ll be ready to get straight into once we arrive. It’s a mixture of metro class pacers plus some maiden types that have ability including a trio from New Zealand my owners purchased, Mick (Formosa) has looked after them since arriving a few weeks backs and will join my stable.
“This is the biggest decision I’ve made and I’m grateful for the support from my wife (Naomi) and family for allowing me to give it a shot, my group of owners have been very supportive and I’m keen to repay the faith they’ve showed me. I want to be a fulltime trainer in Sydney where harness racing is moving in the right direction.”
Sanderson is expected to arrive tomorrow (Wednesday) after a convoy of trucks hit the highway today.
The Queensland contingent now based at Menangle is growing stronger with Sanderson joining the likes of McMullen, Stuart Hunter and Tahn Camilleri in recent times.
by Chris Barsby