IT TOOK her a little bit longer than she had hoped, but Charlton's Abby Sanderson is finally enjoying some bragging rights over her harness racing sibling Ryan.
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For the second time in as many weeks at Mildura's City Oval Paceway, 17-year-old Abby was able to edge out her brother for a win on Wednesday night by steering the Julie Douglas-trained Ozzie Playboy to victory.
It followed her maiden win over her brother on Starvin Marvin the previous week on January 19.
In a twist of irony, Abby's win on Starvin Marvin, also trained by Douglas, relegated Ryan into second place aboard Ozzie Playboy.
But with Ryan engaged on their father Shane's horse Timely Sovereign on Wednesday, Abby was free to take the drive on Ozzie Playboy and ultimately register a win.
It was the talented youngster's eighth win from 104 starts after kicking off her career in the sulky last June as a 16-year-old.
She has also notched up 29 placings.
Her pair of recent wins over Ryan ranks right up there in satisfaction alongside her first in the sport aboard Cool Rocking Daddy at Maryborough last June.
"It's really good to get one or two back on Ryan because he's beaten me a couple of times in finishes," Abby said.
"I've have beaten him home before, but not by winning - it might have been something like second last and last.
"I hope there's another one ahead, but we'll just have to wait and see I guess."
Wednesday was Abby's first race drive on Ozzie Playboy, albeit she is no stranger to the four-year-old gelding.
"I've driven him at the trials because I go to the trials every Monday night - he's a nice horse," she said.
"I really like him.
"Ryan was on him last week when he came second to me and this week I was on him and Ryan still came second.
"It's funny how it works out."
Success on Ozzie Playboy came just in time with a severe storm hitting Mildura not long afterward, eventually causing the meeting to be cancelled without the last four races being run.
It followed some earlier drama with Abby almost being tossed from the sulky after striking interference on the home turn on Captain Confetti in the previous race.
Read more: Malinjang blitzes rivals in Mildura.
Fortunately, she was able to recover and steer the four-year-old gelding into second place behind Harry Ovens.
"My horse moved in a bit and it and things got pretty tight and Bettor Star hit my wheel, which hopped the wheel up sideways and pushed me over a bit," she said.
"I thought I was coming out. I was looking at the ground and I was thinking, 'oh my God'.
"I was lucky where my foot landed and I could pull myself back up."
Abby is pleased with how the first seven months of her career have panned out.
"I've been very fortunate and lucky with the opportunities I've got, from the Douglases and Eric (Anderson) mainly," she said.
"They are giving me heaps of opportunities, which I'm very grateful for."
Abby said the next goal on her list was ticking off a winner for dad and hopes it will come as early as this weekend when she partners Timely Sovereign in the E.T. and D.M. Stephenson Memorial Pace at Sunday's Wedderburn Cup meeting.
The nine-year-old gelding has not won since June of 2020, but has been close to breaking that drought in finishing a narrow second in both of his last two starts at Melton and Mildura.
She will also drive Vanity Bay in the Watson Memorial Pace.
"Timely Sovereign been going well. Wedderburn is a front-running track, so it will depend on where he lobs and if he gets a good trip," she said.
"I don't think he'll be far away.
"Vanity Bay, the draw isn't ideal for him, but if he gets a bit of luck, he shouldn't be far away either.
"I've never driven a winner for dad, but when it happens, I'd like it to be on Timely Sovereign."
Read more: Abby Sanderson sprints to first driving win
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