Ronnie gets his chance in $150,000 Group 1

For the past two seasons Jarrod Alchin’s team of talented youngsters has been a dominant force in harness racing’s New South Wales Breeders Challenge series.

Last year he had the odds-on favourites for both divisions of the two-year-old features and while My Ultimate Byron (Somebeachsomewhere) was narrowly beaten, his filly Madrid (Bling It On) shone, with an all-the-way win.

But on the same night, Alchin had another colt lurking in the background that he and connections were confident was a star in the making.

My Ultimate Ronnie (Bettor’s Delight) had been living in the shadow of My Ultimate Byron despite having won four races and came out on final night to run an eye-catching third behind Tims A Trooper and his stablemate.

On Saturday night (Oct. 29), My Ultimate Ronnie gets his chance to prove Alchin and his owner Scott Whitton right when he steps out for the $150,000 New South Wales Breeders Challenge Final.

In 2022, the talented colt has developed into a complete racehorse, winning at seven of his 10 outings, and qualifying for the final with a brave second behind superstar Queensland colt Leap To Fame.

Our Ultimate Ronnie will start from barrier one and gets his chance to turn the tables on Grant Dixon’s multiple Derby winner after the dual Derby winner drew poorly in gate nine.

Madrid is strongly favoured to make it back-to-back Breeders Challenge victories but will need to overcome a wide draw against a smart field of three-year-old fillies.

Ironically, she was beaten when resuming from a spell in her heat at Penrith but has put that defeat behind her by winning three on the bounce including a runaway win in last week’s semi-final.

Alchin will also be represented by My Ultimate Byron in the colts and geldings’ division and should he produce his best form will certainly be in the finish.

“Madrid and My Ultimate Ronnie went super last week,” said Alchin.

“Madrid did what she does best, dictating terms and then was too fast for her rivals.

“Cam will have to drive her the same way this week from the wide draw.

“Ronnie was brave and gave Leap To Fame a real race, going down by a narrow margin.

“We have an advantage with the draw this week, but tactics will be crucial.

“We won’t be taking Leap To Fame lightly, but I do believe we have the horse to win it.”

For complete race fields, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW