The greatest of all time isn’t done yet.
Champion driver Chris Alford reminded everyone he is still a feature race force in the twilight of his record-breaking career with his 144th Australian Group 1 win aboard I Am Wilma at Melton last Saturday night.
And he’s still got the hunger.
“I’m not getting as many (feature race) opportunities as I did, which makes wins like that even better., especially teaming up with someone like Chris (Lang, co-trainer),” Alford said.
“I’m happy to keep chipping away as long as I still think I’m driving well, which I do, and I’ve got a nice horse or two to drive.”
Alford was at his versatile best on I Am Wilma, showing aggression early to hold the lead from gate one, then opting for a trail through the middle stages when the pace got hot.
I Am Wilma dashed home along the sprint lane to give Alford a record fifth win in the Group 1 Bill Collins Trotters’ Sprint. The others were Glenbogle (2006), Kyvalley Blur (2013), Maori Time (2015) and Queen Elida (2023).
“I’m not sure why Chris (Lang) doesn’t drive the mare himself, but I’m thrilled to get the drive. I’ve driven a few nice horses for him over the years, including Kyvalley Blur and Maori Time, when he had her,” Alford said.
I Am Wilma’s win was the latest highlight in a career which started with a Wangaratta win on October 12, 1984, and has flourished to an Australasian record of 8473 wins, including 11 in NZ and three in Germany.
The closest to Alford’s amazing haul is the late, great Gavin Lang with 6303 wins.
Alford boasts 14 Australian Drivers’ Premierships and his incredible haul of 456 wins in the 2017/18 still stands as a record in a season.
It’s back to bread-and-butter racing for the 58-year-old at Melton on Saturday night, needing just one win to reach a century of victories yet again.
He has four drives on Saturday night: Nakedtruth (race three), Kyvalley Michael (four), Calabasas (five) and Aldebaran Susanne (six).
Nakedtruth and Aldebaran Susanne are trained by Alford and his wife, Alison.
“Everyone knows it’s a bit of a struggle in Victoria at the moment, especially in the country meetings, so getting wins like the other night is more important than ever,” Alford said.
“I’d love to see them review this current ratings system. It’s not fair on up-and-coming horses going through their grades,” he said.
