Alford Closing In On Historic 8000th Win

Queen Elida 3YO Breeders Crown. Photo by Stuart McCormick.

CHAMPION driver Chris Alford admits it will be a huge thrill when he tops 8000 wins in the coming weeks.

It will be a monumental achievement when you consider the next best is the late, great Gavin Lang, with 6303 wins.

Alford moved to 7984 wins when he snared a winning treble at Melton last Friday night.

Alford boasts 136 Group 1 wins in Australia, which doesn’t include Kiwi majors like the 1995 Christchurch Inter Dominion on Golden Reign and Lombo La Fe Fe in the 2002 Northern Oaks at Alexandra Park.

“The wins aren’t coming as quickly as they once did, but I’m still enjoying it as much as ever,” he said.

“I’ve always been competitive at any sport, not just driving, and that hasn’t changed."

“I’m not really one to countdown to things, but it will certainly be a huge thrill when I get there (8000) and really think about it."

“It’ll probably take me another two or three weeks to get there.”

Harness Racing Victoria is probably hoping it will come at one of the upcoming feature summer meetings, like the Ballarat or Hunter Cup.

Alford, who started driving at 16 and is now 55, has been Australia’s leading driver a staggering 15 times.

He holds the record for the most wins in a single season at 456 for the 2017/18 season.

“Lots of the trainers I’ve had my greatest success with have either retired or scaled right back, like Noel (Alexander) and Jayne (Davies), Gary and Debbie Quinlan and Dean Braun. I don’t drive for Emma and Clayton these days, either,” he said.

“But I’ve still got some great supporters out there.”

Alford was just 26 when he teamed with Golden Reign to win Inter Dominion in Christchurch and added a second win in the sport’s greatest race on Lennytheshark at Gloucester Park in 2015.

His surge towards 8000 wins continues at Cobram today (Sunday), Yarra Valley (Monday) and Geelong (Wednesday).