Sundons continues to shine as sons hit the ground

Sundons Courage was a Group 1 winner three months into his juvenile career and seven years later is still racking up Group successes, including a victory in the Group 3 Scotch Notch Memorial last month.

In between the Chris Angove trained nine-year-old has added a couple of Group 2s and another Group 3 to his feature race honour roll, and victory in Saturday night’s Group 3 Hygain Melton Trotters Free For All will see Sundons Courage surpass $400,000 in stake earnings for his owner Brad Angove.

“He’s just been a phenomenal horse for us,” Brad Angove said. “He’s never had any leg issues and he is going as good as he ever has.”

Angove believes his unflappable temperament and high speed are Sundons Courage’s greatest attributes.

“He is a happy horse and nothing worries him,” he said. “Whether it’s serving mares or at trackwork, nothing fazes hm.”

The son of Sundon has served 17 mares while still gracing the race track.

“We’ve got five of his yearlings at home and they are all like him, happy horses that you can do anything with,” he said.

And he can only hope that they’ll carry a significant does of their dad’s ability, which has seen him “run in something like 26 or 27 Group 1s during his career”.

Saturday night he has drawn to follow out Nephew Of Sonoko in the running line.

“It’s a good draw for him, as he should finish up one-out one-back or two back in the running line,” he said.

“And if they run along, he will be doing his best work (late) as he always does finish on with that sprint of his. He’s feeling a million bucks at the moment.

“I’ve driven a lot of pacers and for sheer speed he is the fastest horse I’ve driven.”

Sundons Courage ($4.40) is on the third line of betting behind fellow warrior McLovin, who is a $3 favorite to make a successful return to the racetrack following a four-month let up.