Champion driver Chris Alford hopes to also pick up a Breeders Crown trainer's trophy this weekend
Chris Alford will partner three of the big-name runners at Tabcorp Park, Melton this Sunday on what looms as the best feature book of drives the champion reinsman has ever assembled.
Gun three-year-olds Bonavista Bay and Broadways Best and four-year-old star Maffioso are among his drives and all will start either favourite or second elect in their respective Group 1 Tabcorp Australasian Breeders Crown finals.
But if Alford could ensure victory for any of seven Breeders Crown day drives, the Bolinda horseman would without hesitation pick a runner outside the high-profile trio.
The 41-year-old not only drives 3YO Trotters Final hopeful Down Under Muscles, he also trains the half-brother to former champion squaregaiter A Touch Of Flair.
Alford has won countless Group 1s as a driver, including five Breeders Crown titles, but he is yet to experience victory at the highest level as a trainer and can think of no better stage to break his duck than Breeders Crown day.
"Unlike the others we've got him here at home, so that would be good if he can get the job done," he said. "Fingers crossed he can finally win that big race that he deserves."
The Muscles Yankee secured his spot in the $93,000 final with a resounding heat win and like Alford's high-profile drives he will start one of the favourites.
TAB Sportsbet has him on the second line at $2.60 behind star filly Arizona Blue ($2.20) in the 2240-metre mobile event with Australian Pacing Gold champion Let Me Thru next at $3.75.
Victory would atone for last year's Breeders Crown, when Down Under Muscles was a good thing beaten in the final. He lost 40m after galloping at the start but flew home to finish a 2-3/4m second to Magic Interest.
He trotted beautifully throughout in his heat and Alford thinks that barrier five is a huge advantage with Arizona Blue and Let Me Thru drawn poorly in barriers 11 and 12 respectively.
"The main dangers have drawn the back (row), which is good because I won't have to bustle him early, and hopefully he can just stay out of trouble and get up into the action and be amongst the finish," he said.
Alford is also confident Bonavista Bay can overcome barrier 12 and serve it up to Captain Joy (two) and ensure the $170,000 Group 1 3YO Colts and Geldings Final lives up to expectations.
"Every run this time in he's improved and he'll be spot on for the final," Alford said. "He isn't drawn the best, but he can put himself into the race at any time, so hopefully he won't have to rely on much luck."
Alford's other drives on Sunday are Ruby Dazzler in the $100,000 4YO Mares Final, Modern Warrior in the $311,000 2YO Colts and Geldings Final and Broadway Play in the $60,000 Group 2 Graduate Pacers Free-For-All.
