Daph ‘N’ Alf ready to break hoodoo
DAPH ‘N’ Alf has done more for Jared Wehlow than most horses in the trainer’s stable – with one exception.
The veteran galloper hasn’t won at Doomben.
But Wehlow sees no reason why the seven-year-old can’t put that right when he runs in the Programmed Property Ser- vices Handicap (1350m) at the course today.
Away from Doomben, Daph ‘N’ Alf is one of the most consistent horses in Queensland, having won 14 races with another 14 placings in 38 starts.
However, his Doomben record reads as 10 starts for one second in a restricted handicap in February 2013.
Daph ‘N’ Alf showed he was up to stakes class when a ran a neck second to Group 1 winner Smokin’ Joey in the Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich in June.
“I don’t know why his Doomben record looks so bad. He has had a couple of fourths and fifths there and he has run in some unsuitable races at Doomben,” Wehlow said. “He has won on tracks like Mackay and Townsville which aren’t that different to Doomben.”
On his best form, Daph ‘N’ Alf would be among the favourites for the race but his Doomben record is so poor he is $12 with most bookmakers.
Daph ‘N’ Alf has won the Mackay Newmarket and the Sunshine Coast Anniversary Cup, and finished seventh at Doomben over 1200m at his most recent start.
“He had a little freshen-up and ran out of puff near the line,” Wehlow said.
Daph `N’ Alf was bred by his owner Graeme McLeod who named him for his parents.