Herculean effort pays off in a Group 1 double

Growing up in the Riverina town of Temora, fledgling harness racing horseman Rickie Alchin always dreamed about winning the Bathurst Gold Crown.

The Menangle based trainer-driver realised that dream on Friday night when he took out the Group 1 feature aboard the highly talented Tardelli who despite a betting drift trounced a quality field to score an emphatic win.

Not only was Alchin able to deliver a Crown victory for owner Alf La Spina but he also made it a Group 1 double after his bonny three-year-old filly Soho Rapsody scored somewhat of an upset win in the Gold Bracelet earlier in the night.

“It was a very emotional night for everyone involved,” said a humble Alchin.

“It has been a herculean effort from my team to be able to get these horses up and ready to win these big races. To see what it meant to them on Friday night just made me so proud.

“Tardelli is owned by the La Spina family who also bred the horse. He came to our place as an unbroken yearling, so we have been on the whole ride with him from day one.

“And now we have taken him through to win at the highest level makes it very special.

“The same can be said for Soho Rapsody.

“And like the La Spina family, her owner Rob Watson is a great supporter of mine who has nicely bred horses and trusts me to educate and train them for him.”

Alchin explained that he owes much to his family back home in Temora, especially his 90-year-old grandfather Russell Harpley who was an accomplished horseman in his own right.

“I dedicate these wins to Pop who was a great supporter of the Bathurst Carnival,” said Alchin.

“I recall Pop taking horses to the Bathurst carnival and trying to win the elusive Crown trophy.

“On Saturday I headed back home to Temora, so proud to share the trophy with him.”

Today it will be business as usual for Alchin where he has two runners engaged at Goulburn.

Both are first starters in race three and Alchin has elected to drive Montalbano, a two year old having its first race start.

“He fella has shown plenty of ability. I have been happy with his trials and if he gets an ounce of luck, he will be hard to hold out.”

To view the fields for Goulburn on Monday click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW