Three-time series winner could make it four

All-time great Chris Alford has the opportunity to join the late Gavin Lang and Daryl Douglas as the most prolific winners of the Horsham Harness racing Club’s Decron Care Noel Smith Memorial Drivers’ Championship on Monday.

Alford is a three-time winner of the series, first contested in 1990 to remember the contribution of past club president Noel Smith.

Alford first won the championship in 1994 and has gone on to add titles in 2011 and 2017. Lang won in 1991 (deadheating with Jim O’Sullivan), 1992, 1996 and 2014.

Daryl Douglas put his name on the honour board in 1998, 2001, 2002 and 2004.

Alford is one of five past winners taking in Monday’s series, which will bring together 10 of Victoria’s best drivers.

John Caldow won in 2000 and again in 2006, Kerryn Manning in 2005 and Jason Lee in 2021, while Jack Laugher is the reigning titleholder.

They will be joined by Anthony Butt, Michael Bellman, John Justice, Ryan Sanderson and Ellen Tormey.

The championship for many years featured interstate representatives. Although all this year’s drivers are based in Victoria, there is a “state-of-origin” flavour about the line-up.

Laugher originally hails from Tasmania, John Justice from South Australia and Ryan Sanderson from New South Wales. In addition, Butt has made Victoria his home after relocating from New Zealand.

Sanderson goes to Horsham fresh from his win on Sahara Tiger in the Group 3 Tasco Petroleum Mildura Pacing Cup on Saturday night.

The championship will be contested over four races – races four, five, six and seven.

Here’s how drivers line up:

CHRIS ALFORD: Rays Ideal (5), Pappa Leo (1),  Keayang Benjamin (4), Yapper (9)

ANTHONY BUTT: Sunshionefromheaven (6), Our Ultimate Layla (2), bye,  Dougs Platter (2)

MICHAEL BELLMAN: bye, Princess Alexandra (3), Ourmatemenko (3), Martin Magic (7)

JOHN CALDOW: Keayang Moon Shine (1), Hilldale Sunrise (5), Keayang Braveheart (7), Sea Flyer (3)

JOHN JUSTICE, bye, Auckland Miss (8), Snow Hunter (6), Beta Than Love (8)

JACK LAUGHER: Sassy Said So (2), Superbon (7), Rimu Valley (5), Major Collect (5)

JASON LEE: Vivid (3),  Toodle Pip (4), Major Major (8), Codename Marcus (4)

KERRYN MANNING: Famous Label (4), Areuohkay (9), Its A Good Feeling (1), Mikispur (1)

RYAN SANDERSON: Ruthless Encounter (1), Emjaybee (2), Rockella (10)

ELLEN TORMEY: I Betuwantano (7), Major Fire (6), You Beauty (9), Jilliby Selwood (11)

For complete race entries, click here.

by David Brehaut for Harness Racing Victoria