Big players reunite for world’s richest harness race

Two of the biggest players in Australian harness racing will reunite in a quest to win the world’s richest harness race.

Leviathan WA owner-breeder Rob Watson and Tumby Park’s Scott Whitton have confirmed a deal for the highly talented My Ultimate Ronnie (Bettors Delight) to run in Watson’s Soho Standardbreds slot in the inaugural $2.1mil TAB Eureka at Menangle on September 2.

My Ultimate Ronnie boasts an impressive record with just 25 starts netting 16 wins, four placings and earnings of $246,488.

The four-year-old son of Bettors Delight has been freshened since winning his latest run in the APG Gold Bullions 4YO final at Menangle on April 29.

“I’m thrilled to get him,” Watson said. “Obviously it’ll be a super strong race with the likes of Leap To Fame, Catch A Wave and Captain Ravishing, but this horse is versatile, classy and hasn’t been too far from Leap To Fame a couple of times.

“It’s been a few weeks in the making to get the deal done with Scott (Whitton) and Jarrod (Alchin, trainer) because there’s been interest from other slot holders, too.”

Watson has been one of the most outspoken supporters of the whole TAB Eureka concept.

“Hell yes, it’s just what the game needs,” he said. “I jumped at the chance to take a slot. It’s a race all about getting more people interested in and involved in harness racing. I can’t wait for it, it’s very exciting.”

My Ultimate Ronnie’s trainer Jarrod Alchin is thrilled to have landed a slot in the TAB Eureka.

“It’s the richest race in the world and I train at Menangle, so it’s extra special being in my own backyard,” he said.

“It’s also good to get in early so we don’t have to chase a start. He’s had a little break and will aim at the Rising Sun at Albion Park (July 8). Everything will be focused on the TAB Eureka after that.

“We’re thrilled to team-up with Rob Watson, too. He puts so much into the game, so to bring Rob and Scott (Whitton) together for a race like this is fantastic.”

But Alchin is realistic about the enormity of the challenge.

“We’ve struck a hot year, haven’t we?” he laughed. “I think Catch A Wave, Leap To Fame, Captain Ravishing and others make it the strongest (Australian) four-year-old since 2000 when Shakamaker led the way.

“I know we’ve got a quality horse who has been competitive in some of the best races already and, being by Bettors Delight, he will relish the long (2400m) distance, which might test a few others.”

Watson has proudly linked his TAB Eureka slot to a newly-founded charity called Toby for Childhood Cancer.

“It’s close to my heart. One of my best friends lost a child to cancer,” he said.

“We’re getting a set of (racing) colours made to reflect the charity’s branding.”

Watson will donate 10 percent of his slot’s share of the prize money earned by My Ultimate Ronnie in the TAB Eureka to Toby for Childhood Cancer.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia