Alford finds new way to lose a race!

HE'S registered nearly 8000 wins, but Chris Alford has found a new way to lose.

Aiming for 7993rd victory during yesterday's Maryborough meeting, Alford had the win all but sewn up halfway along the home straight when a freak accident occurred.

Partnering Park Lane, Alford reined the son of Art Major to the lead around the final bend, with the pacer responding to the champion driver's vigor.

What didn't respond so well to Alford's thrusting motion was his sulky, which collapsed 75 metres from the finish.

With the shaft snapping near the right wheel, Alford dropped to the ground as the sulky folding inwards.

"I thought I had the race won," Alford said. "He was getting tired, but I reckon he had them beaten.

"There was no warning...it just gave way! These things happen and I was lucky it was the last race.

"When I was on the ground I was just hoping no one was going to run over me."

Alford's moment in the spotlight has rekindled memories of another famous fall as a result of a sulky malfunction.

Driving King Crimson in Kilmore on January 17, 1994, Stephen Dove was well clear of the field halfway along the home straight when his sulky extensions came loose, tipping him backward onto the track.

To this day, thanks to a certain photo, Dove remains the 'butt' of racing jokes!