by Trots Media
Champion driver Chris Alford says Lennytheshark is simply one of the all-time greats.
“You don’t see many horses who can win a Miracle Mile, Victoria Cup and an Inter (Dominion),” he said today after he paired with the David Aiken-trained superstar to take out the Miracle Mile at Menangle on Saturday night.
“It’s hard to compare horses from different eras,” Alford added. “Golden Reign was a super horse, Tailamade (Lombo) was great, but (Lenny) would have to be right up there now.”
For Alford, who for so long has been the benchmark when it comes to Group 1 success in the trots, Saturday night’s success was amazingly his first Miracle Mile.
“I’ve had a handful of goes. As we know Lenny ran second last year. I ran a second and a third on Tailamade (Lombo) and a third on Golden Reign, so I’d been thereabouts,” he said.
Lennytheshark (Four Starzzz Shark-Botswana) took his stake earnings to $2,560,890 courtesy of Saturday night’s win.
It meant he became the richest stallion of all time, surpassing Terror To Love, Changeover, Shakamaker, Our Sir Vancelot and Westburn Grant all in the space of a minute and 49.2 seconds.
“He doesn’t really get the accolades he deserves. He’s not as flashy as some of those other horses and doesn’t win by big margins but he’s just a professional and knows where the line is. He just gives his all every time he goes out,” Alford said.
“Fifty out I thought Smolda all but levelled up with him but Lenny’s fighting qualities came through and he stuck his head out thankfully.”
Lennytheshark’s next assignment is likely to be the Kilmore Cup on March 18.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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