The Hannaford family made the trip up from Bungendore and it was worth the travel, as Vast ($4.50) raced away to success in the Bathurst RSL Soldiers Saddle Semi (520 metres) at Kennerson Park.
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Favourite Willie Blues ($2.50) took the lead as the dogs came out the boxes, but Vast quickly went to the front and never looked back.
The two-year-old black and white dog won by a comfortable six lengths, to qualify for next week’s Bathurst RSL Soldiers Saddle Final.
Second-placed Willie Blues will join Vast in the final.
The black and white dog is trained by Lesley Hannaford and son Shayne said it was good to be back in Bathurst.
“We tend to come here every year for this race,” Hannaford said.
“The event is good for young dogs who haven’t had many wins.
“He had five wins the week before the heats, so he was lucky to make it in.”
Vast had come off a narrow win at Wentworth Park on November 16.
The black and white dog ran for a time of 29.96 on Monday.
With the final looming next week, Hannaford said he was just “happy to make the final”.
Hannaford said the box draw will play a big part for the dogs in the final.
Vast can be difficult to train at times, with Hannaford referring to him as a “stress-head”.