The mere mention of New Zealand brings great memories flooding back for champion driver Chris Alford.
It is 28 years since Alford scored a real career breakthrough win when upstaged one of the best Inter Dominion fields ever assembled to snare the 1995 Christchurch final at Addington on the mighty pacer Golden Reign.
Now he’s looking forward to another few trips across the ditch to drive one of Australia’s best trotters, Aldebaran Zeus, in a string of major races for trainer Brent Lilley.
The first of them is a Group 2 mile race at Cambridge on the same night as their $1mil Race by Grins slot race.
Then there are Group 1 features like the Anzac and Rowe Cups at Auckland’s Alexandra Park in May.
Alford’s NZ trip has gone to another level with confirmation he will partner evergreen Victorian pacer Triple Eight in the Race by Grins.
Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars train the only two Aussie raiders in this year’s Race by Grins and Sugars will drive the other, Better Eclipse.
“He’s a lovely old horse (Triple Eight) and I’m sure he’ll be competitive with a good draw and a bit of luck,” Alford said.
“I’ve driven at Cambridge a couple times, back when I was a junior and I took Wobelee there for the Harness Jewels a few years back, too.”
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But back to Aldebaran Zeus, who will warm-up for his extended Kiwi raid when he tackles the Uncle Petrika Trotters’ free-for-all (1720m) at Melton on Saturday night.
“He’s right where I want him and this race fits well being a sprint going into his first race in NZ, which is a sprint,” Lilley said.
“It’s a small field this week, but still a good race with a few who will make him earn it.”
“This run will top him off nicely and then he’s booked a flight to Auckland next Wednesday, which gives him time to settle in before the Cambridge race.”
Aldebaran Zeus was a star youngster, but the five-year-old has largely lived in the shadows of his stablemate and contemporary, Queen Elida.
But he really stamped himself as a major open-class force when he upstaged Australia’s top trotter and reigning Inter Dominion champion, Just Believe, in the Group 1 Hammerhead at Menangle on March 4. It was his 17th win from just 42 starts.
“He finally drew well there and was able to lead. He’s such a hard horse to get past in front. He loves rolling along,” Alford said.
“He’s always had the potential to go right to the top and he’s heading in the right direction.
“It’ll be great to get back over to NZ, too. Obviously, I’ve got such great memories of the place.
“If this guy gets some good draws along the way, I’m sure he’ll be very competitive.”
A few NZ trips to drive Aldebaran Zeus will add to a busy travel schedule for Alford in coming weeks as he is also the regular driver of Queen Elida for Lilley.
Her next major target is the $100,000 Group 1 Macarthur Mile for trotting mares at Menangle on May 6.
