Alford working on race tactics after Zeus draws wide

Chris Alford will get to work on his harness racing race tactics in the coming days after Aldebaran Zeus drew wide for this weekend’s MGM Yonkers International Trot in New York.

The champion reinsman is in the United States to drive the Brent Lilley-trained star, who will start from gate seven – second from the outside on the front line – in this Sunday’s race, which will be shown exclusively in Australia at www.TrotsVision.com.au.

Alford said he was unsure whether seven was a good or bad draw for the Victorian squaregaiter.

“It’s hard to know at this stage,” Alford told thetrots.com.au.

“I heard an interview with the guy that’s got Etonnant and it drew two. He said ‘two might be a good number, but it’s not good for us’.

“When I talk to a few of the drivers, I’ll just have to work out with (trainer) Brent Lilley and (owner-breeder) Duncan McPherson what we’re going to do.

“They reckon the one drawn outside us, the Italian guy, he just likes to charge. And a couple of others don’t like getting used off the gate, so I’ll just have to work it out in the next few days.”

Alford will partner Aldebaran Zeus in fast work tomorrow, with race drives planned at Pocono and Yonkers before the weekend’s meeting.

“He seems good,” Alford said of the reigning Victorian 4YO Trotting Entire/Gelding of the Year.

“He’s lighter than what he usually is, but he looks good and his coat is good.”

Alford said he was likely to have “about five” drives at the big Yonkers meeting, which will be shown live and free at www.TrotsVision.com.au.

The coverage will commence before the first race at 2.15am AEST, with Aldebaran Zeus to tackle the $1mil MGM Yonkers International Trot at 4.45am AEST.

The son of Muscle Hill, who has won 18 races and more than $420,000 in prizemoney, placed second in a trial at Harrah’s Philadelphia late last month.

“I’m very happy with Zeus’ qualifier,” Lilley said at the time.

“There was a tearaway leader and we sat in the pack, came out down the back and he boomed home up the straight, chasing the leader down going 1.52.2 and a half in 55.

“He pulled up great from it, so it looks like we’re on target.”

For complete race entries, click here: US Trotting entries

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria