Saunders back - and training winners at Winton

By Jonny Turner 

Rakadiamonds sidestepped into the passing lane and past her rivals to send trainer Matt Saunders back into the winner's circle at Winton on Sunday.

Saunders has reignited his training career recently, which was put on hold while working in rugby, most recently coaching the Southland Stags.

While at first glance there may not appear to be too many similarities in coaching rugby talent and preparing standardbreds, Saunders admitted there are some parallels.

"It is 100% similar, some you have got to motivate and some you don't."

"Rugby and racing are pretty similar, fit and healthy horses and players, they generally go well."

Before Rakadiamonds strode to her maiden win for driver Daniel Anderson, Saunders' last winner was Natural Fire in 2020.

The trainer was based in Tapanui and working in the supermarket industry at the time.

Fast forward to now, with his time coaching in between, Saunders is back in the grocery game and training horses again.

Though this time he’s preparing his racing team from the late Murray Brown's former base at Ascot Park.

"I went from Four Square and horses to rugby to Four Square and horses again."

"I wasn't born into racing or anything but then once you start, it is interesting, you sort of get addicted to it.

"I ticked away while I was away with rugby, but now I am back into it, I am loving it."

Saunders and partner Jolene Harding own and run Otatara Four Square, meaning the trainer juggles working his horses with his day job.

Rakadiamonds is raced by Harding and three syndicates – the High Hopes Racing Syndicate, the S.A.S Syndicate and the Say Yes Nellie Syndicate.

The group includes several first-time owners, which was one of the drivers behind Brendan Fahy effectively gifting them the horse to race.

"Brendan actually gave us the horse at the bar one night, which is bloody great of him.”

"He likes to see young people in racing, not many people would give away a pretty decent young horse for just a bottle of whiskey."

Fahy also enjoyed success of his own at Winton.

Mr President strode to victory in Sunday's opener for trainer Tony Stratford and driver Mark Hurrell, in the slick time of 2.56.9 for 2400m.