The horses that Alford puts above the rest

Champion harness racing driver Chris Alford can’t split them.

Asked the best horse he’s driven through a stellar 40-year career and as he nears an historic 8000^th career win, Alford said Golden Reign and Lennytheshark share top billing.

“I never thought I’d drive one as good as Golden Reign, but Lennytheshark was. They were similar in some ways, but different in others.

“What they shared was amazing ability and even bigger wills to win.

“They’re the two horses who won me the Inter Dominion (pacing) finals and that means a lot to me.”

Golden Reign gave Alford the biggest win of his career at just 26 years of age when he upstaged one of the strongest Inter Dominion fields ever assembled at Christchurch’s Addington track in 1995.

“I think there were six millionaires in the race,” he said. “It was an incredible line-up and to beat them over there was so special.

“Also, the way he did. He was seen as this tough stayer, but I sat back and came with one run on him which surprised everyone and showed a different side to him. He was a great horse.”

The beaten brigade behind Golden Reign included: Chokin, Master Musician, Blossom Lady, Desperate Comment, Weona Warrior, Young Mister Charles, Victor Supreme, Bee Bee Cee and Lento.

Alford had to wait 20 years for his second Inter Dominion win on Lennytheshark at Gloucester Park in Perth.

“He just dominated that series. He gave me so much confidence. Despite having to do all the work in the final, he was always in control,” Alford said.

“It takes a special horse to dominate an Inter Dominion series like that and it was just one of the many big wins he gave me.”

During the chat, I asked Alford to name the top five horses he has driven.

Additionally, to reflect on the five greatest wins of his career. Here’s the verdict:

CHRIS ALFORD – BEST FIVE HORSES DRIVEN

1 – GOLDEN REIGN/LENNYTHESHARK: As outlined above.

3 – TAILAMADE LOMBO: She was amazing and not far at all behind Golden Reign and Lenny at her top. For a mare to do what she did against the boys and for so long showed how good she is. Not just the best mare I’ve driven, but the best (Australian) mare during my career.

4 – POSTER BOY: One of the best young horses I’ve driven. It’s a shame we didn’t get to see more of him as an older horse because he was good winning the Chariots Of Fire at four and then running third in the Miracle Mile a couple of weeks later.

5 – QUEEN ELIDA: She’s the best trotter I’ve driven. She’s just got so much class and speed. At her top, she’s just so exciting to drive.

CHRIS ALFORD – FIVE GREATEST WINS

1 – GOLDEN REIGN – 1995 CHRISTCHURCH INTER DOMINION: Wins don’t come much better. The horses he beat, the way he did, where he did it … all so amazing.

2 – LENNYTHESHARK – 2005 PERTH INTER DOMINION: He was such a special horse to me. He had his quirks, but we got along so well. For all the big wins we shared, to win an Inter Dominion together was the ultimate.

3 – MONT DENVER GOLD – 2003 HUNTER CUP: This one was family. Dad (Barry) trained him and he was really sick at the time. It was the last big win we shared together. It’s one I treasure.

4 – LOMBO LA FE FE – 2002 GREAT NORTHERN OAKS (AUCKLAND): She was some sort of filly, almost unbeatable at two and three and so fast. I loved this win because it’s so rare for our young horses to go over there and win and she blew them away.

5 – TAILAMADE LOMBO – 2000 QUEENSLAND CHAMPIONSHIP (GOLD COAST): There’s so many great wins I could’ve included from her, but this one has really stuck with me. Courage Under Fire was still at the peak of his powers and she beat him in one of her greatest performances at the old Gold Coast track.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Victoria