Aldebaran Zeus rules in Maori Mile

A determined drive from Chris Alford and powerful display of sustained speed from Aldebaran Zeus (Muscle Hill) completed a special harness racing victory in Saturday night’s Group 1 Maori Mile at Bendigo.

Alford claimed his first success in the $75,000 feature as the Brent Lilley-trained five-year-old landed the opening leg of the Aurora Australis series in style.

After an initial false start, Alford put the foot down from the mobile the second time around to eventually wrest the lead off Always Ready, who crossed to the pegs from barrier four.

The early burn resulted in a blistering 26.8 early quarter before Aldebaran Zeus steadied things with a second section of 30.1. Alford got the son of Muscle Hill flying again down the back straight to break well clear by the turn and had enough in reserve to cling on for a 1.8m victory over the fast-finishing Hopeful Beauty and Sleepee, who dead-heated for second.

Last year’s winner Im Ready Jet endured a tough run outside the leader and faded late for fourth, while favourite Majestuoso galloped during the final lap and finished second last.

Closing quarters of 28.4 and 29.5 completed a rapid mile rate of 1:54.8.

Alford said the false start gave him confidence of being able to find the lead.

“It looked like the four horse (Always Ready) was going to cross the first time and Zeus was coming out as good as him,” he said.

“I had confidence that he’d be able to keep running and he did tonight.”

Alford has built a great relationship with Aldebaran Zeus and has partnered him in all bar one of his 36 career starts.

“He’s always been a great little horse and is just maturing all the time,” Alford said.

“I think when he first came back a lot of people doubted if he was going to be strong enough to run in this grade, but I’m sure he is…”

The win was a special one for Aldebaran Zeus’ breeder and owner Duncan McPherson, who sponsors the Maori Mile as principal of Aldebaran Park.

Aldebaran Zeus has now won 16 of 36 starts – including four at the elite level – for prizemoney earnings of more than $300,000.

Leg two of the Aurora Australia series will be the Group 3 E B Cochran Trotters Cup at Ballarat on January 21.

ALDERBARAN ZEUS REPLAY

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV