Our Chain Of Command outstays his Tabcorp Park Melton Cup rivals
Our Chain Of Command continued his charge through the classes when he pulled off a unique double in Friday night's $25,000 Shire Of Melton Tabcorp Park Melton Cup.
The Dean Braun-trained four-year-old made it five wins from six starts since joining the Lara mentor when he proved too tough for his rivals.
In the process he became the first horse to back up victory in the Winter Championship for M0s with a win in the race for M1-M2s that was known as the Christian Cullen Cup before moving to the new home of Victorian harness racing.
Winning reinsman Chris Alford continues to be amazed by the Julius Caesar gelding’s performances and is adamant he is capable of winning even better races.
“He’s done a super job since he’s been here and after a spell he might just come back show us something even better,” the six-time Australian drivers’ premiership winner said.
Our Chain Of Command defied a torturous final lap to outstay a classy field in the 2240-metre event.
Alford was compelled to sit three-wide without cover for what was a slick final 1000m, but it didn’t prevent the $2.10 favourite from wearing down some highly-rated rivals in the straight.
At the line he had a half-neck to spare over the game Ananz ($5.40), who did well to fight on after pulling mid-race, while Franco Ambassador ($37) sprint-laned into third place, just clear of stablemate Hollywood Bromac ($4.20).
The mile-rate was 1:58.1, which included an impressive final 800.
“They ran 56 (seconds) for the last half and he was three-wide on his own doing all the work,” Alford stressed. “They don’t go much better than that.”
Braun has bigger races in store for Our Chain Of Command, whose record now sits at seven wins from 24 starts, but first he will be heading for a well-earned break.
“He’s done a super job for us and earned a lot of money along the way, but he’ll have a little let-up now.”
