Forest Babe's Argent Classic win was Chris Alford's 3999th of his career
A successful trip to Melton’s Tabcorp Park on Friday night edged Chris Alford to the cusp of 4000 career driving wins.
The champion reinsman entered the meeting a winner of 3996 races, but edged to within one of joining Gavin Lang as the only Australian reinsman to have tasted success 4000 times after dominating the first half of the program
The 42-year-old won both Vicbred Super Series semi finals for the two-year-old fillies, behind Aussie Made Lombo and Passions Promise respectively, before taking the Harness Breeders Vic Argent Classic with Forest Babe.
Alford – who has driven 3987 winners in Australia, nine in New Zealand and three in Germany during the 1997 World Drivers’ Championship – was surprised to learn he was so close to the milestone.
“I had no idea I was that close to 4000,” he said. “They’re not the sort of goals you set yourself, but it will be great to get there when I do manage that next winner. Hopefully it’s not too far away.”
Aussie Made Lombo ($2.50), a daughter of former champion mare Tailamade Lombo, got the ball rolling for Alford when her professionalism carried her to a 2.8-metre win over $2.30 favourite Beach Melody in the first 2240m semi.
Modern Art filly Passions Promise ($4.70) then made the most of a sweet trip on the back of Lively Moth, who worked hard to find the top 1400m from home, to wear down the $1.60 hot pot in the final couple of strides.
Aussie Made Lombo’s 1:59.9 mile rate was one second faster than Passions Promise went, but the latter filly did reel in Lively Moth at the end of a 27.8sec final quarter.
Alford said the classy pair, both trained by Jayne Davies at Clyde, did a great job and would acquit themselves well in next Friday night’s $100,000 Group 1 final at Tabcorp Park.
“Aussie Made Lombo, we’ve always known that she’s a good filly, and Passions Promise just keeps getting better,” he said. “She had a good run, but she still had to sprint home quickly to catch the other one (Lively Moth).”
But arguably Alford’s most satisfying win of the night came when Forest Babe overpowered a quality field of three-year-old fillies in the $20,000 Argent Classic.
Alford also trains the daughter of Modern Art, who took her record to five wins from 15 starts when she finished too powerfully for her rivals at the end of a solidly-run 2240m event for a 1:58.1 win.
“The ability’s always been there, but she’s just bit green,” he said of Forest Babe. “She’s lost the last couple of times because she hits the front at the top of straight and waits for them to pass her.
“It was good that she drew seven and we just went back and got a good trail up and sprinted home nicely.”
The $24 chance won by five metres from Glenferrie Inn ($12) with Revivalist ($24) a nose away. Rocknrolla ($1.50 fav) was suited by the fast speed, but was under pressure at the 350m and finished fourth.
