Champion reinsman Chris Alford vindicated his moniker as ‘Mr Vicbred’ when he starred in the lead role in Saturday night’s APG Yearling Sales Vicbred Super Series Finals at Melton.
The Michael Stanley-trained colt Soho Trump ($2 fav) provided Alford with the first of four winners on the night when he led all the way in the 2YO Colts & Geldings Final.
The win completed a third-generation Group success for Soho Trump, whose granddam Tailamade Lombo is one of the best racemares this country has produced.
“I drove Tailamade Lombo in lots of races and she won Derbies and Grand Circuit races, and I actually won the Bathurst Gold Tiara on this bloke’s mother, Aussie Made Lombo,” Alford said.
Later in the night, Alford made a mid-race move on I Am Wilma ($2.70 fav) to wrest the lead off Iron Women before outclassing her rivals in the 3YO Trotting Fillies Final.
“She’s had around 10 starts this season and hasn’t missed a place, and now she’s got to measure up to the good ones, which she did tonight,” he said.
Alford completed a race-to-race Group 1 double for the training partnership of Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar when he partnered Hilltop Hugh to an all-the-way win in the 4YO Trotting Entires & Geldings Final.
The 57-year-old Alford rounded off a successful night, landing his 141st Group 1 win, when the Jayne Davies-trained Harperseven caused a boilover, saluting at $71 in the 2YO Trotting Fillies Final.
“I thought she would go alright, but she needed a good run and things worked out well,” he said.
Alford reflected on his long and successful association with the stable.
“Noel (Alexander), Jayne and I go back a long, long time, and although they’ve only got a small team, I think they had four in finals tonight from about six horses, so they still do a great job,” he said.
