Boom youngster makes his racing return

Star youngster My Ultimate Ronnie’s (Bettors Delight) return to racing will be the highlight of the eight races at harness racing’s Tabcorp Park Menangle track today.

The three-year-old is back from a seven-month spell and has a dream draw in gate one when he takes on the older horses in Race 7.

Reinsman Cameron Hart and trainer Jarrod Alchin have an extraordinary record with pacers owned by Tumby Park and this pacer, with four wins from just seven starts, could turn out to be as good as any of them.

A close third to Queensland visitor Tims A Trooper and Alchin’s stablemate My Ultimate Byron in the Breeders Challenge final for two-year-olds late last year, My Ultimate Ronnie has been installed a $2.50 favourite against a quality field, which includes three last-start winners.

“He’s a quality horse and performed so well as a two-year-old,” Hart told National Trotguide’s Mike Ko’cass.

“He’s come back really well and I expect him to be winning today.

“Certainly the draw will help.

“He will obviously need the run but his class should really be enough to get him through.

“Tumby Park have been such a great supporter of ours and they have so many quality horses.”

Hart heads for Menangle with a strong book of drives and although most of them have sound each-way prospects, he’s confident he can land a double for the Alchin stable when he also pilots Sole Ambition in Race 8.

“This looks to be his race,” says Hart.

“I know he hasn’t won for a while, but he’s dropping in grade.

“His last two or three runs have been really good in better grade and that suggests he’ll get his chance to win.

“From that draw (gate one) I am going to drive him with a bit of confidence and I think he can get the job done.”

While Hart has some other good chances, the driver to follow could be the up-and-coming young horsewomen Sofia Arvidsson, who also has a terrific book of drives.

Arvidsson will drive $5 second favourite Burkhardt for Blake Fitzpatrick and from the good draw looks a chance to turn the tables on last week’s winner Uptown Lad in Race 1.

She will also fancy her chances with $5.50 second favourite Florencita for Fitzpatrick in Race 2 and last week’s late scratching, Dance Secret ($3 second favourite) in Race 3.

For complete Menangle Tuesday fields, click here.

by Michael Court, for HRNSW