Poignant win for Youneverknow at Cambridge

By Jordyn Bublitz 

Youneverknow's victory at Cambridge Raceway on Friday night had an extra layer of significance.

Affectionately known as "Max", the talented trotter has long been a favourite of driver Holly Moralde Sands, and the win in the Joan Grice 100th Birthday Celebration Handicap Trot carried extra meaning given the horse's deep connection to the late Susan Branch. 

The much-loved Cambridge horsewoman passed away in May after suffering complications during heart surgery, but her fingerprints were all over Friday night’s success. 

She bred Youneverknow and part-owned him, pouring the same love into him that she gave to just about everything she touched at Cambridge Raceway. 

Moralde Sands knew just how much Susan adored him.

"The only person who loved Max more than me was Susan," she said.

"He's such a character, he's got so much personality. He's such a funny horse."

Moralde Sands works day-to-day for champion trainer Tony Herlihy at his Papakura stables, and although she does a lot of work with the gelding behind the scenes, the chance to take the reins on race-day came as a surprise. 

"I actually had no idea I was going to be driving him until I saw the fields."

Moralde Sands only took out her junior driver's licence in August last year, so the opportunity to sit behind a horse of Max's calibre was not lost on her. 

"He's my favourite horse to drive, it's a nice feeling knowing that you're sitting behind a bit of horse power."

Although the gelding was fresh up since December, Moralde Sands had a feeling he was ready to perform. And he did just that. Moralde Sands sat patiently before asking him to extend in the run home, where he fought strongly to grab the win by a head over a game Illicit Love.

"I'm really glad I got to drive a winner in Susan's colours and on her horse."

Fitting, given how well Susan was known for her support of young drivers in the industry. 

She was everywhere at Cambridge from helping out with Kidz Kartz, to working in the Winners Bar, and doing just about every volunteer role going. 

She had also made her own mark as a driver, becoming the first woman to win a race at Claudelands, and went on to record 60 driving wins and 94 as a trainer across a career spanning nearly five decades. 

Racing doesn't often write its own stories.

But sometimes the right horse wins at the right time.

On Friday night, Youneverknow returned to the winner's circle carrying Susan Branch's colours, guided by a young driver who loves him almost as much as she did.