I Am Wilma gives dazzling display in Bill Collins Sprint

Outstanding mare I Am Wilma (Father Patrick) maintained her star studded record when she outsprinted her harness racing rivals to take out the Group 1 $60,000 Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Trotters Sprint at Melton on Saturday evening.

Former Italian trotter Gandhi Mail was heavily backed and was caught wide early as he attempted to wrest away the lead. Chris Alford on I Am Wilma eventually relented to give away the lead as Ghandi Mail was able to run along in front.

Lovemetoo went around the field early to face the breeze with stablemate Gotfeelingsyouknow one out and one back while Jilliby Dreamlover was three back on the rails.

Despite the hard run Lovemetoo forged to the lead ahead of Gandhi Mail who couldn’t go on. However I Am Wilma who went for the inside run and she proved too strong over a gallant Lovemetoo while Imperial Monarch was a credible third.

I AM WILMA 17 OCT REPLAY

I Am Wilma in running 1.53 set a new race record.

Driver Chris Alford explained how the race turned out.

We got the start pretty well, and she had to go hard into the first turn to hold Jason (Lee). I was pretty content that I wanted to lead. And then when Cam Hart come up the pressure was a bit relentless, and I thought we better maybe have a little rest for a while. And I was just hoping he got us to the sprint lane and she still felt really good. And once she got the run she sprinted again really hard.

She was just traveling so well, and I know Chris’s horse (Lovemetoo) was off the bit, but it does keep going. But she just felt like she had that dash in her when the run came and that’s how it worked out.

Chris and Sonya have done a great job with her. She was a bit of a head case and she still is a bit funny. So he said she’s a horror to work. So they deserve all the credit for getting her where she is now, and I just get the jump on race day.

They’re a great bunch of owners and deserve all this success, and I hope they enjoy their night.

Winning trainer Chris Lang added:

It’s a big thrill to win a group 1. With our man Chris Alford in the bike they get every chance.

She’s always had high speed. Early on she was unruly and hard to train but as she has aged she has become more tractable.

I’ll put her in the Maori Mile later on and then we may consider the Great Southern, even if she has to race twice on the night. And we’ll consider the Hammerhead Mile at Menangle next year on Miracle Mile night.

Given the new race record the performance of Lovemetoo in finishing second was full of merit and he has to be considered for the upcoming features as he’s so tough and just keeps grinding away while Imperial Monarch who ran third is racing in great heart and should pick up a race soon.

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink