22 February, 2003
UP-and-coming star Mont
Denver Gold arrived in the big time in a very big way when he stormed to an
emotion-charged victory in the world?s richest harness handicap event, the
$400,000 Carlton Draught Hunter Cup, at Moonee Valley tonight (Saturday).
Mont
Denver Gold, driven beautifully by Chris Alford, came from an awkward rails
pocket with a round to go to snatch the lion?s share of the stake by half a
neck from defending Inter Dominion champion Smooth Satin, who boomed home out
wide with a storming late run.
The
winner is still a contender for the up-coming Thunder Down Under Inter Dominion
Championship at Addington, in Christchurch, New Zealand this month, but the
runner-up will not be on hand to defend his title after being surprisingly
withdrawn from the series.
Unique
Icon finished strongly from a handy position on the outer for third, a metre
and a half from Smooth Satin, with Baltic Eagle, Jay Bees Flush and favourite
Young Rufus next home, almost in line.
A
five-year-old by Classic Garry from promises, Mont Denver Gold rated 2:02.l6
for the 3050 metres from a stand, with the leaders timed to run the final mile
in a slick 1:57.9. ?Mont Denver Gold?s
win was not entirely unexpected.
Two
weeks earlier Mont Denver Gold had come from last on the home turn for an
unlucky third behind a rampant Young Rufus in the $250,000 SEW Eurodrive
Victoria Cup at Moonee Valley.
The
win rounded off a huge night for Alford, who had earlier partnered All Action
Son to a thrilling last-stride win in the $100,000 SKY Channel Nights Of Glory
Australasian Trotters? Championship.
Alford?s
personal achievement was a mighty one, but he was thinking of another as he
surged to the line behind Mont Denver Gold.
Mont
Denver Gold is trained at Bolinda, on the northern outskirts of Melbourne, by
Alford?s father, Barry.
Alford
senior has not been in the best of health in recent years, so the win ?
obviously the biggest of his career - was treasured more than any other because
it was a real family affair.
The race was run at
break-neck speed, which made the job of those who raced back off the pace
untenable.
Warm
favourite for the race, Young Rufus, settled about sixth early, but got pushed
back during the middle stages.
Trainer-driver
Mark Purdon pushed Young Rufus wide from the bell, but he was under pressure
approaching the home turn. He battled gamely and was not too far from the
winner at the line.
The
race was also notable as the last appearance at Moonee Valley for Australasia?s
record stakes-winning pacer Shakamaker.
After
a quick beginning, Shakamaker was checked to the rear and never recovered. He
ran on late wide out for 10th, about 10 metres from the winner.
All told, Shakamaker raced at Moonee Valley 39 times for 23 wins, 10 seconds
and three thirds. He earned $1,342,775 of his current career bankroll of
$2,206,184 at Moonee Valley.
