Bach opens on a winning note

Chris Alford hinted emerging open class pacer Bach (Bettors Delight) wouldn’t be out of place should connections opt to head north for the Queensland Constellations after taking out the opening harness racing event at Melton. 

The Kyle Marshall trained pacer enjoyed an economical trip behind Yambukian before Alford pulled into the sprint lane and the five-year-old mustered sufficient momentum to grab Yambukian on the line to get the verdict by a head in slick mile rate of 1:51.7. 

Kyle Marshall trained BACH takes out the opening race at Melton tonight – the Dynamic Print Blacks A Fake Free For All with Chris Alford in the sulky. pic.twitter.com/TGSaXYMb6B

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) June 22, 2024

Alford said a change of gear made for an improved performance after the former Kiwi finished unplaced in last week’s Italian Cup. 

“He’s come back really well and with a pole on tonight he steered around the last bend and while he hung in a little bit maybe but last week he cost himself by hanging but tonight he was really good,” Alford said. 

Alford indicated he was happy to surrender the front running to Yambukian. 

“It’s not a great night, a bit breezy and cool but he pinged the gate pretty and could have held up the lead but Yambukian is a good tough horse and keeps trucking,  so it was great to sit behind him,” he said. 

Alford said Bach would be capable of mixing it with the free for all class pacers in Queensland over the next month. 

“I don’t know what races they have picked out for him if he goes up there but on that run tonight he would be competitive,” he said. 

Bach has won five of his past six starts and is building an imposing record of 13 wins from 36 career starts. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink