This was published 11 months ago
‘Just another way to get beaten’: Certain victory grinds to sliding halt
By Chris Roots
Champion trotting driver Chris Alford is closing on 8000 career wins and thought he had seen everything in the sport until he found a fresh way in a bizarre incident at Maryborough on Monday.
Alford had driven Park Lane to the front in the last race of the day when the crossbar of the gig snapped, which saw the pacer go from charging away from the field at 40km/h to a sliding halt in a matter of metres.
Park Lane’s gig snaps with victory in sight at Maryborough.Credit: Sky Racing
The veteran of 40 years in the sulky had never experienced the crossbar of the gig snapping during a race and believed he was lucky to avoid injury after the rest of the field was able to steer around him.
“That was a bit weird. Nothing like that has never happened to me before,” Alford said.
Chris Alford takes the wheels from his snapped gig.
“I remember the sulky seat came off one day and I had to sit on the crossbar to stay aboard, but this was next level.
“I was going to win too. It’s just another way to get beaten, I guess.
“I got a shock, but had a quick look around to see what was behind me, but it’s a credit to the other drivers who reacted quickly and got around me.”
Park Lane, who was a $8.50 chance in betting, went from a couple of metres in front with 100 metres to the winning post to failing to finish as $41 outsider Snazola took advantage and record the victory.
Alford sits on 7992 wins and should become the first driver in the southern hemisphere to make the 8000-win mark in the next couple of weeks.
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