Russell Hanson surged to the top of the leader's board on the Kleen West
Distrubutors/ Surekleen Products Jockey of the Year Award with a brilliant
trio of winners on Sunday.

The wily veteran has slowly regained his best form this season and has been
a regular in the winners circle of late.

His winning treble increased his seasonal tally to 14 one more then Damian
Lane who added one to his total of 12 to reverse the order coming into last
Sunday.

But on Sunday there was no holding Hanson back as he rode his three winners
in the second half of the program.

"It was a good day on Sunday. It is always nice to ride winners and to
come away with three of them, all for different trainers is very
rewarding." Hanson told The Gurkha.

The first winner of the Hanson treble was the Commands mare Fidelma who
posted her third win of the season with a blistering finish to run away with
the heat of the Golden City Motors Stayers Series for the sponsor Paul
Smythe.

Fidelma finished too powerfully for the Hoppmann trained pair of Marleycombe
and The Unforgiven and looks set to score more points in the series.

"She has gone to another level this year. It took her a long time to win
her maiden but she looks capable of more wins this season. Paul has done a
great job with her and is now reaping the rewards."

Hanson was then seen at his best on the Merv Dellar trained Intimidator,
again denying Hoppmann another winner with the second placed Cherily and
Stormystory back in third place in the Boulder Parts & Towing Handicap (1300
metres).

Intimidator made the progression from maiden winner to class 1 victor and
looks destined for a profitable campaign this season.

"He looks like being a real nice type for Merv and the connections. They
do not often win straight after their maiden victory so he will pay to
follow."

In the final event of the day the stars aligned for Hanson and Hoppmann when
they combined to win with the vastly talented Sword Master who waltzed away
to score impressively from Cyclonic Force and Infinite Star in the
Goldfields Pest Control Handicap (1400 metres).

"Yes it was good to win one for Sue after pipping her in the two earlier
races. This bloke has always shown heaps of ability and it was just real
pleasing for the horse more then anything to see him win."

Hanson has endured a slower start to the season, after returning from knee
surgery during the summer but the three time premiership jockey is confident
he has hit his top form.

"It takes a while to get all your strength and fitness back. Riding up in
Leonora and Leinster helped with my fitness and I am looking forward to the
second half of the season." Hanson added.