Flying Run: Telford Tops Muswellbrook Record

KAREN Sanderson and her two-year-old grandson Connor were glued to the TV on Wednesday watching the brilliant Telford eclipse the 336 metre Muswellbrook track record.

The son of Zipping Garth and Lady Jay was handled by Karen's husband David as she had babysitting duties.

Telford ran 19.09 to run the track record and take it off Take On Will which had run the record only a short time earlier in the day, setting a 19.10 mark.

“That's the second time we have broken the record at Muswellbrook,” said Karen.

“Telford's litter brother Coughlin broke it a few months ago.”

Telford is named after Harry Telford who trained legend thoroughbred Phar Lap.

He is part of a fine litter bred by the Sandersons.

They're in a hurry at Muswellbrook today! ?

Telford has just lowered Take On Will's 366m record at Muswellbrook set in Race 5 today – shaving .01 sec off to win Race 9 in 19.09! ?

Full Results: https://t.co/qNx9m7ef0M#thedogs pic.twitter.com/8TjzX6Rn9k

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) August 9, 2023

They raced the dam Lady Jay which won the famed Coonamble Maiden back in 2014.

“Telford won his heat of the Coonamble Maiden as well, but he missed the start in the final,” said Karen.

Immediate plans for Telford are to keep him racing in country sprints.

“He may go back to Muswellbrook next week,” she said.

He has now started 53 times for 18 wins and 14 placings earning $35,000. Littermates Coughlin (15 wins, $37,000) and Dauntless (11 wins, $23,000) have been fine money-spinners for the kennels as well.

“Coughlin has picked up a virus and will be out for a little while and Dauntless has hurt a pin muscle,” said Karen of the other pair.

“We have been waiting on Manton Blaze to come on season, but she wouldn't so we put her back into training and she has won three since for us.”

The Oaks Road bitch has won 21 races.

Karen and Dave Sanderson gave up on the slog of harness racing years ago and decided to buy into greyhound racing.

“We contacted Mark Wilcox to buy a dog and have spent hours accepting all sorts of advice from him,” said Karen.

“We've stayed good friends with him ever since.”