A low-flying Titan Banner dashed along the inside of the track to grab the win ahead of runner-up New Years Jay and Jonny Cox who were finishing even faster on an electric final 800m of 54.9sec.
Their one-two finish not only gave their trainer a memorable race quinella, but Titan Banner became the first Otago-trained horse to win the Hannon since Enterprise’s 1984 victory for Pat Heffernan.
Fittingly, the late Pat Heffernan’s son, David, who is the president of the Oamaru club, presented the Hannon Memorial trophy to Anderson.
Titan Banner and New Years Jay have both earned themselves a week of leisure on the Taieri following their quinella effort.
"The have had a busy time, so they are both going to White Robe Lodge for a week in the paddock," Anderson said.
Titan Banner’s hot early-season form, which has seen him win the Maurice Holmes Vase and run second in the New Brighton Cup before yesterday’s win, has also earned him a quieter lead-up than many of his rivals will have before the New Zealand Cup.
"He has had those first three races now, so after his week off I’ll bring him in with six weeks to go."
On his return, Titan Banner will probably only start in the Ashburton Flying Stakes on Labour Day before lining up at Addington on the second Tuesday in November.
Although he did not rule out starts in the Methven or Kaikoura Cups or the Canterbury Classic for Titan Banner, they were unlikely, Anderson said.
Driver Dexter Dunn, who has committed to driving Titan Banner in the New Zealand Cup, gave the horse his seal of approval after yesterday’s win.
"I am really happy to be on him for the cup. He is getting better all the time."
Oamaru driver Matthew Williamson went on a roller coaster of emotions on his home track yesterday.
Williamson struck dual success in the first race on Hannon Memorial day when he drove trotter Winnie McGoogan, whom he also part-owns, to victory.
The ecstasy of victory soon turned to despair when Williamson’s concerns during the race were confirmed only moments after his horse’s win.
"I felt something just wasn’t quite right during the run, and once she got back to the birdcage she was pretty lame," he said.
A veterinary exam found the 4yr-old had fractured a pastern.
The injury blow comes in only the horse’s second start since she returned from more than 18 months away from the races with knee problems.
"It is a shame because she has got a lot of ability."
The anguish of losing his promising trotter was offset in part by Williamson dominating the early part of the Hannon programme with another two winners in Eja Patron in race 4 and Breeny’s Cullen in race 5.
Eja Patron equalled the all-aged male pacers’ Oamaru track record for 2000m of 2min 25.3sec, which The Flyin Doctor set in 2004.
- Jonny Turner
