Alchin knows the magnitude of the task at hand

One is a ‘hot-head’ and the other has a task the best horses in the country haven’t been able to handle.

Yet top Menangle harness racing trainer Jarrod Alchin can dominate Saturday night’s (Oct. 22) semi-finals of the Breeders Challenge for three-year-olds.

A win in three of the four is not out of the question for Alchin, who knows the magnitude of the task at hand.

Yet he has left no stone unturned and has Australia’s form reinsman Cameron Hart aboard all three as they chase spots in next week’s $150,000 finals.

My Ultimate Byron (Somebeachsomewhere) leads the charge when he tackles the first colts and geldings’ semi-final, Race 4, where he has the perfect draw in gate one.

A winner of his first seven starts, My Ultimate Byron suffered his initial defeat in last year’s two-year-old Breeders Challenge final when runner-up to Queenslander Tims A Trooper.

“He’s a real hot head and absolutely lost the plot in the retention barn before last year’s final,” said Alchin.

“He nearly tore the joint down.

“Anything out of his normal day-to-day duties and he loses the plot.

“He’s a year older now and I’m not saying he is any wiser, but a little better.

“I’ll worry about tonight before thinking about what may happen before the Final.”

Alchin also has My Ultimate Ronnie (Bettor’s Delight) in the second semi, with the three-year-old to come from barrier three.

“Ronnie has drawn well and should be in the finish,” Alchin said.

“I’m not saying he can beat Leap To Fame, but he will run a really good race.”

Alchin will then be represented by Madrid (Bling It On) as she continues her title defence in the second fillies’ semi-final (Race 8).

An effortless winner of her heat, Madrid is expected to have no trouble finding the front from gate three.

“She’s pulled up really well from her last run,” Alchin said.

“She did get a bit tired late in that race but she has come on really well since then.

“She’s probably as good as I’ve ever had her – but she still has to go out there and do the job.

“She’ll go forward, as she always does and she’ll be very hard to beat.”

Elsewhere on the Menangle card, progressing to another Group One should be a mere formality for exceptionally-bred filly Steno (Sweet Lou).

Drawn to find the lead from barrier four, the Cameron Ross-trained three-year-old is a short-priced favourite to win the other Breeders Challenge semi-final.

For complete race fields, click here.

by Michael Court, for HRNSW