Chris pulls the right rein with Captaintreacherous filly

A decision by champion reinsman Chris Alford to surrender the lead on the $2.80 harness racing favorite Sahara Breeze (Captaintreacherous) paid dividends when the pair combined to take out tonight’s Group 1 Always B Miki Vicbred Super Series (3YO Fillies) Final at Melton.

Sahara Breeze held the early lead from the pole however Alford opted to make the sprint lane his ally and allow his main danger Sweet Bella ($3.10) to roll along and lead inside the first 200 metres.

Alford made full use of the sprint lane in the home straight and Sahara Breeze powered through along the inside to grab a gallant Sweet Bella in the shadows of the post in a slick mile rate of 1:53.6 for the 2240 metre journey.

SAHARA BREEZE REPLAY

The win was Alford’s 134th Group 1 success and it was his 42nd Vicbred Super Series Final winner.

However, for the husband and wife team of Gary and Debbie Quinlan it was their first Group 1 success since joining forces as a training partnership.

Alford said he had no qualms in opting to choose a trail on the daughter of Captaintreacherous.

“She has been going well right through the year, she has strengthened up now and can really sprint off a sit,” Alford said.

Alford said Sahara Breeze had strengthened considerably in the past six months.

“Gary and Debbie have always had a very good opinion of her but she was a bit immature and not that strong, so when they went hard she couldn’t maintain that speed and sprint,” he said.

“But now she can follow any speed and still sprint home.”

Alford admitted he was on good terms with himself after the leader slid down the back straight quarter in a slick 27.1 seconds.

“I was feeling confident then and the leader was off the bit and to its credit it looked gone but it still found a kick and we were flat out getting it in the end,” he said.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink