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An 'unreal feeling' as Sandersons celebrate back-to-back cups

Eighteen-year-old Abby Sanderson became the youngest driver to win the prestigious $50,000 Tasco Petroleum Mildura Pacing Cup Final as the Sanderson family completed back to back success in the race on Saturday night.

RSN Harness Racing News
RSN Harness Racing News Picture: various (provided)

Sent out a well-backed $2.20 favorite, Dangerous was driven out of the gate by Sanderson and crossed to the pegs ahead of the pole marker and fellow heat winner Little Louie.

Sanderson maintained a genuine tempo with Charlton Cup winner Helluva moving around to lead the outside horses, and Little Louie behind the leader and hoping for an opening in the straight.

Dangerous surged clear on straightening and finished full of running to defeat a game Helluva by four metres with Little Louie two metres away third in a mile rate of 1:57.9 for the 2600m trip.

The winner is trained by Sanderson's father Shane, who also prepared Sahara Tiger to win last year's Cup with his son Ryan in the sulky.

It was Abby's second feature race win after taking out the $100,000 VHRC Caduceus Club Classic on Catalpa Rescue at Melton last year.

"It's an unreal feeling to take out the $100,000 race last year and now this one on such quality horses," she said.

"I thought if I kept rolling while the moves were being made and then try and get a second quarter breather, then he would be a good show."

Abby conceded Dangerous could prove a difficult horse to steer around the track.

"He is certainly not an easy horse to get around and you just have to go with him, but he was good tonight. He still has his quirks, but to his credit he was good tonight," she said.

It was a relieved Shane Sanderson who spoke to the media after the race.

"I've probably never gone into a race being so nervous and I was nervous for Abby because she does so much work behind the scene," he said.

"She's a special kid and I'm very proud of her."