Southland's top junior driver Adam Sanderson is moving to Queensland.

He recently returned to Invercargill after a working holiday in Darrel Graham's Fernvale stable in Queensland. During the visit, Graham offered Sanderson the stable foreman's job.

''What Darrel offered was too good to turn down,'' the 23-year-old said.

Sanderson, currently employed by Ascot Park trainer Wayne Adams, has driven 69 winners, including three in Queensland. Graham's stable is about 50 minutes by road from Queensland's principal harness track, Albion Park, in Brisbane. He is training 23 horses.

Sanderson, who leaves Invercargill on August 24, was successful behind Hey Hardy in a non winners' heat at the Ascot Park workouts on Saturday. Hey Hardy cleared out over the final stages to score by eight lengths.

Lord Forbes won the main heat at the workouts, a one or more wins mobile. Oreti Beach owner-trainer Gavin Forbes plans to start the Live Or Die 7-year-old entire in the $15,000 Kurow Cup at Oamaru on Sunday.

Lorneville trainer Tony Stratford believes Righthere Rightnow could be a ''nice'' 3-year-old in the spring.

Righthere Rightnow was bought for $35,000 at the Australasian Classic Yearling Sales at Karaka in February last year. Stratford flagged thoughts of racing the McArdle gelding this season, preferring to allow him time to develop and strengthen. Righthere Rightnow beat two rivals in a learners' mobile at Ascot Park on Saturday. He broke briefly on the home turn but recovered well to score by one length in 2min 59.8sec (2200m).

''He'll have another workout or two before we qualify him, then straight to the races.''

Maiden pacers Ultra Shok and Rosie Lindenny and one-win trotter Rocker Billy Rebel are likely to represent Stratford at the Invercargill Harness Racing Club meeting on Sunday week.

Rocker Billy Rebel was bought out of Lindsay Veint's West Plains stable in the late autumn.

''He had a month off and has been back in for two and a half months,'' Stratford said.

''He's going to the (Ascot Park) trials on Wednesday.''

Workouts at Ascot Park on Saturday resulted:

Trotters' Stand, 2700m - Infusion 1, Early Days 2, Starlight Invasion 3; four started; 1l, 1 1/2l; 3:45.5, 62.3, 30.2; winning trainer, O Lawrence.

Learners' Stand, 2200m - Real Tiz 1, Iza Jet 2, Don't Wanadie 3; four started; nk, 2l; 3:1.2, 59.7, 29; winning trainer, A Black.

Learners' Mobile, 2200m - Righthere Rightnow 1, Sudden Flush 2, Western Spice 3; three started; 1l, a distance; 2:59.8, 59.2, 28.7; winning trainer, A Stratford.

Non Winners' Mobile, 2200 - Major Deed 1, Southern Red 2, Gold Digga 3; four started; 2l, 2l; 2:49.8, 58.5, 29.1; winning trainer, G Shirley.

Non Winners' Mobile, 2200m - Hey Hardy 1, Susan Boyle 2, Bella Regalo 3; three started; 8l, 2l; 2:52.7, 57.3, 28.1; winning trainer, W Adams.

One Or More Wins Mobile, 2200m - Lord Forbes 1, The Receptionist 2, Cherokee Charlie 3; three started; nk, 2 1/2l; 2:51.2, 58.3, 27.5; winning trainer, G Forbes.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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