Golden Nugget could be redemption for My Ultimate Ronnie

Trainer Jarrod Alchin has simply had to turn the page on My Ultimate Ronnie’s (Bettor’s Delight) first-up harness racing flop at Gloucester Park.

The Menangle horseman was bewildered and frustrated for a day or so after his stable star wilted late for ninth in last Friday night’s Group 2 4YO Classic.

The fact nothing has emerged since to explain the below par showing is a mix of relief and frustration.

“I just have to look forward,” he said. “His main target was the (Golden) Nugget and we’ve still got that to come.

“Thankfully there was a two-week gap between the races, so we’ve got time to regroup.”

Alchin said a battery of tests and checks on My Ultimate Ronnie since last Friday had all returned positive reports.

“He’s really good. His bloods came back looking good. The vet also went right over him and said he’s very sound,” he said.

“I’ve also had the chiropractor look at him (Wednesday) and he couldn’t find any problems, so we will just have to press on as though nothing has happened.”

My Ultimate Ronnie will head from Team Bond’s stables into Gloucester Park for a hit out this weekend.

“It’s the next checkpoint, if you like. He’ll go in Saturday morning for some work just to make sure everything is OK,” he said.

My Ultimate Ronnie now becomes the conundrum of next Friday’s Group 1 Golden Nugget.

The classy four-year-old, who boasts 19 wins from just 35 starts and almost $400,000, has eased from $1.80 to $2.50, but remains a clear favourite.

by Adam Hamilton, for RWWA