Alchin has Chalice and Bracelet Finals in his sights

Rickie Alchin trained three- year- olds appear to play key harness racing roles in both the Gold Chalice and Gold Bracelet Finals at Bathurst next Saturday night. 

The Alchin prepared multiple Group 1 winning filly Lux Aeterna (Captaintreacherous) made a successful return to the racetrack when she led all the way in the Heat 2 of the Gold Bracelet. 

Punters who took the $1.06 on offer would have had their hearts in their mouths as Lux Aeterna scrambled home by a half neck over Eureka Jo in a mile rate of 1:54.7. 

Lux Aeterna was first up since November and Alchin wasn’t concerned by the narrow margin. 

“I look after her and didn’t pull the deafeners, she will be a lot fitter for the Final on Saturday night,” Alchin said. 

“She has a busy six weeks ahead of her with the Final on Saturday night then the Nutrien Final and the NSW Oaks,  so she is not fully wound up yet,” he said. 

Lux Aeterna’s stable mate the NSW Derby winner Soho Spectre (Art Major) made a one act affair of his Gold Chalice heat scoring untouched by 14 metres from Royal Cruiser in 1:53.9. 

Alchin said Soho Spectre will be at peak fitness for the Final after being given an easy time since his Derby win a fortnight ago. 

“He hasn’t done much since the Derby and that run will top him off nicely,” he said. 

“The Final is going to be a good race but it won’t be any stronger than the field he met in the Derby.” 

The Emma Stewart trained War Dan Buddy (Art Major) showed he will provide stern opposition to Soho Spectre after winning his Gold Chalice heat in a slick mile rate of 1:52.7 to record the fastest time of the day. 

Nathan Street ($1.40 fav) made amends for his luckless outing in the NSW Derby in taking out the Gold Chalice Heat 2. 

Already a Group 1 winner, the son of Lazarus came from last with 800 metres to travel and did enough to hold out Dashing and Debonaire in the run to the line. 

The Luke McCarthy prepared Ravishing Sloy (Bettors Delight) led all the way to prevail in the remaining Gold Chalice heat. 

The Michael Stanley trained and driven Soho Vesper Lind ($3.50) (Art Major) was rewarded for her consistency when she charged through along the sprint lane to grab victory in Gold Bracelet Heat 1. 

Libby Lou (Sweet Lou) rounded off the day’s racing with an all the way win in the Gold Bracelet Heat 3. 

The Blake Fitzpatrick trained filly has now won three of her past four starts including the Group 3 Raith Memorial. 

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink