Saunders has spent large chunks of his life living in and representing both Otago and Southland.
The former Highlanders player hopped over the Otago-Southland again border recently, this time to the familiar territory of West Otago.
Saunders, his partner Joleen Harding and their two young children made the move after buying the Tapanui Four Square supermarket in the town where he was born.
Saunders' venture into the supermarket trade is similar to his path into horse training.
He went into training without a huge amount of experience or hands-on background, as many in the industry do.
He has taken a similar path into his new venture, learning as he goes.
``It has probably given me a bit of extra confidence to go into this. It is like anything. If you have good people around you, you go all right.''
Saunders is in a takeover period with the previous shop owners before having full running of his new venture.
``We have heaps of good people that know what they are doing supporting us, and good staff.''
That move came after he resigned from his position as Rugby Southland academy manager.
``We have a couple of kids now, so we looked for something we can build on. Rugby is a fickle sort of game.''
The West Otago community had been extremely welcoming and the family was enjoying their new surrounds.
``We have are happy to be here and everyone has been fantastic.''
Some of Saunders' friends, former rugby team-mates, had already come into check out his new venture and stock up on their way to their holiday destinations, he said.
The 34-year-old is as impressed with his new training base as he is with the welcome he has received in his new location.
The horseman arranged the use of the Tapanui racecourse for his small team of horses.
``It's great. The track is good and there are good tie-ups.
``The two committees that run the racecourse have been very good.''
Saunders and galloping trainers Nikki and Barrie Blatch are the only two stables that use the Tapanui facility.
Success came almost instantly after the move.
After shifting the family's household belongings and spending one night at his new base, Saunders trekked to Cromwell with pacer Marshal Star.
The 6yr-old cruised to victory after leading in an end-to-end win for driver Dexter Dunn.
Marshal Star was having only his third start for Saunders after previously being trained in Canterbury by Nick Le Lievre.
``I was starting to worry a little bit after the first three starts he had for me, but he loves the grass.''
Saunders will target Marshal Star at three southern grass-track meetings at Waikouaiti and Gore next month.
- Jonny Turner
