There's no catching this shark! Photo by Jodie Hallows
“There is no catching this shark” was the cry from the caller’s box, and with those words the spoils of an Inter Dominion went the way of Lenny.
After punching the breeze for the entirety of the $1.3m race, champion reinsman Chris Alford lifted his charge all the way to the line to beat out WA hope Lovers Delight in a final 400m Harness Racing fans will remember for a long time to come.
Rating 1:54.8 for the 2536m Mobile and sizzling home in 55.6 and 28.2, Lennytheshark’s connections were simply delighted with the run. “He’s just a freak” said Chris Alford in a post-race interview.
It wasn’t the fairy-tale story finish for Bunbury based trainer Stephen Reed, who brought Lovers Delight back from an injury-forced retirement to claim second in the world’s richest pacing event.
Third across the line was Flaming Flutter for driver Greg Sugars. Settling behind the leader after drawing on the backline, Sugars never left the rail to run into third.
Series surprise package Our Blackbird enjoyed the run of the race three back on the marker pegs to return to scale in fifth position, narrowly pipped on the post by Queenslander Avonnova who did a power of work early. Restraining to the rear in the middle stages Shane Graham enjoyed a dream inside opening late to sprint home smartly.
A great crowd enjoyed the Sunday Sun and kicked on well into the night as Sneaky Sound System rounded off the carnival in style.
WATCH: Full race replay including interview with winning driver Chris Alford...
