KEY POINTS:
Leading Victorian horseman Chris Alford sees himself as an honorary Kiwi at Moonee Valley tomorrow night.
And he is hoping he can lower the colours of Australia's best trotter A Touch Of Flair in the A$50,000 ($57,000) Bill Collins Mile.
Alford will drive Canterbury trotter Glenbogle in the sprint and believes from barrier two he is the horse to beat.
The champion driver had the choice of Glenbogle or his stablemate Whatsundermykilt, who won the Dominion Handicap last start, and says the barrier draw made up his mind.
"Moonee Valley is a very hard track to come from back on over a mile, especially in a race as good as this so it was a non-brainer to drive Glenbogle," said Alford.
"I think he is trotting as good as any of these and from barrier two we should be in front or trailing, from where he'll be hard to keep out."
A Touch Of Flair will be the red-hot favourite even from barrier seven after blowing away many of Australia's best trotters at Cranbourne last Saturday. But Alford has his doubts.
"I don't think he is going as well now as he was last season," he says.
"That race last week was set up for him because they went that fast and he got around to sit parked in the middle stages.
"I think the trotters on both sides of the Tasman lack depth and for that reason luck in the running is going to play a big role and we have the draw to get that luck."
Both Glenbogle and Whatsundermykilt are in Australia for the Interdominions, which start in three weeks, and Alford is likely to drive both in the heats before deciding on one for the final.
"I think Whatsundermykilt is better over the longer trips but if we go really hard this week he could surprise over the mile."
