Aiming to join elite Inter Dominion fraternity

VICTORIAN reinsman Chris Alford will aim to join an elite fraternity at Club Menangle on Saturday night.

Already part of a select group of dual Inter Dominion winners, Alford is searching for his third victory in the prestigious Championship.

Alford was triumphant with Golden Reign in 1995 before scoring behind Lennytheshark in 2015.

This time around Alford will partner Max Delight.

As it stands only two drivers have won the series with three pacers since the Inter Dominion was launched in 1936.

Brian Hancock became the first after winning with Koala King in 1980, Weona Warrior in ’94 and Our Sir Vancelot ‘97.

Mark Purdon then followed with Marc Hanover in 1991, Smolda in 2016 and Lazarus ‘17.

As for Alford’s pending chance, Max Delight is midfield in betting after drawing barrier 10.

TAB Fixed Markets have the David Aiken-trained stallion at $18.

Aiken also trained Lennytheshark.

Max Delight sealed his position in the $500,000 Final with a fourth and two placings during the heats.

Despite the five-year-old’s draw, Alford is quietly confident in Max Delight’s prospects.

“It’s not that bad a draw,” Alford said. “It means he won’t have to do much early and can be driven cold.

“He has proven how hard he can come home when driven with a sprint and hopefully he will be close enough to finish over the top of them in the Final.

“It’s over 3009 metres and Menangle is a big track, so the is plenty of time to try and get him into the race.”