Champion reinsman Chris Alford isn’t letting two expensive defeats dent his confidence in Victorian colt Guaranteed heading into tomorrow night’s NSW Derby heats.
And he is adamant the colt is still the best three-year-old pacer in Australia.
Guaranteed was being hailed as a champion before this month’s Victoria Derby but a final-lap gallop saw him bow to Ohoka Punter, while he was downed by Macha at Melton last Saturday in a race not run to suit.
He finds himself in the easy first heat of the Derby tomorrow night as the three-year-olds, both boys and girls, compete for spots in the classics to be run at Menangle on Sunday week.
While he will be long odds-on tomorrow night, Guaranteed shares favouritism for the Derby with unbeaten Queensland star Majestic Mach, who trialled brilliantly at Menangle on Monday.
But Alford says his colt is better.
“I respect what Majestic Mach has done and he looks very fast so we won’t be taking him lightly in the final,” says Alford.
“But he has only been beating the Queensland horses and they are not as strong as what we have been racing.”
While Alford would love to drive Guaranteed with a sit in tomorrow’s opening race he also wants to garner some respect heading into next week’s final.
“So I will put him in the race at some stage and I can’t see him beaten.”
His confidence levels are not so high with fellow Victorian pacer Macha in the second Derby heat, even after he beat Guaranteed last Saturday.
The inexperienced pacer clashes with Caesar Augustus, who was an enormous third in the Victoria Derby last start and the latter has the better of the draws.
“They are both very good and there is not much between them but with the draw the other horse could get an easy lead and be very hard to catch.”
Majestic Mach is rated a $1.15 shot to win the last Derby heat.
Victorian and New Zealand fillies are set to dominate betting on tomorrow night’s heats, and probably next Sunday’s final, of the NSW Oaks.
Impressive last-start winner Musical Delight heads Oaks betting alongside Kiwi filly Rozelski, with ABC winner Glenferrie Shuffle and last week’s stunning Melton winner I’m Smouldering also well in the market.
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
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To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
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Name:
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Dale Walker
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Position:
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Marketing Manager
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Phone:
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(02) 9722 6600
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Email:
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dwalker@hrnsw.com.au
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