30 October 2017 | Shane Yates
Master reinsman Chris ‘The Puppet’ Alford captured the Yabby Dam Racing Australian Drivers Championship in spectacular style in Hobart on Saturday night.
The dual Inter-Dominion Championship winning driver showed all of his class and experience to clinch the title ahead of Chris Lewis and Chris Geary.
Alford was installed as the short-priced favourite to win the eight-race Drivers Series and certainly didn’t let down his legion of supporters down, winning three races and finishing in the placings on a further two occasions.
Chris Geary, the rising star in New South Wales harness racing driving ranks, set the early pace in the series scoring with the favourite Buster William ($2.40) in the opening race on the card for trainer Wayne Campbell.
Geary, runner-up to Amanda Turnbull in the NSW Driver’s Premiership last season with 149 winners, then produced a magical drive behind the Melissa Maine trained Itz Gemmas Delight ($55.10), spearing thru along the pegs to win by a metre.
Alford struck back in the fourth piloting the Ken Rattray-trained Im Born to Rule ($59.60) to victory, gunning down the Greg Sugars driven race favourite Taurisi in the home stretch to win by three metres.
Unbeaten three-year-old Steitkid made it two from two after a stirring two horse war with the gallant Flying Wingard.
South Australian reinsman Wayne Hill retained the lead from the one gate with Streitkid and travelled comfortably in the lead, while Chris Alford settled the second elect, Flying Wingard, one out and four back.
Alford made his move inside the bell easing out three-wide, before putting the hammer down and scorching around the field to tackle the favourite down the back straight.
The pair clapped the speed on recording a slashing 27.9 third quarter to set up a last man standing affair in the home stretch.
Flying Wingard almost got on level terms but the Paul Hill trained Streitkid dug deep in the run to the post to win by a head.
Impressive three-year-old Semowillrev (pictured) clinched the Drivers Championship for the Victorian reinsman with a seemingly effortless performance in the last race for trainer Craig Hayes, storming to the lead at the mile before cruising home by six metres over Lead Singer.
Chris Alford spoke with Tasracing Live Stream Host Duncan Dournauf after capturing the Title.
“It’s always enjoyable to travel to different places, different tracks and compete against top drivers from other states, tonight’s been a tremendous night of racing, well organised and everything’s gone very smoothly. I’m delighted to be taking the title home.”
“I’m very impressed with the young talent coming through the driving ranks around the country and nights like tonight gives the public an opportunity to see that being showcased.”
2017 Yabby Dam Racing Australian Drivers Championship final points tally:
1. Chris Alford (VIC) 86 pts
2. Chris Lewis (WA) 72 pts
3. Chris Geary (NSW) 67 pts
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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