Top trotter to stay in Australia…for now

The lure of a home ground Inter Dominion will keep our trotting “Queen” Im Ready Jet here for at least the rest of this year.

But the world beckons.

It is no secret visionary owner-breeder Pat Driscoll wants her to take on the world, or at least some of the world’s best in the US.

Trainer Anton Golino reaffirmed it in the wake of Im Ready Jet’s fifth Group 1 win and one of her most dominant so far in the $50,000 Sumthingaboutmaori Free For All at Melton last Saturday night.

“I’d say if she goes it will be next season. I know Pat is keen on sending her over at some stage,” he said.

Wouldn’t that be exciting? With Amazing Dream already over there and preparing to race, we could have our best female pacer and trotter flying the Down Under flag in some of the world’s biggest races over the next couple of years.

Just on Amazing Dream, she ran a terrific third in her first qualifier (trial) for new trainer Linda Toscano at The Meadowlands on Saturday. She is set to have her first US race in a heat of the big Matchmaker series in two weeks.

Back to Im Ready Jet, and what a fantastic campaign she’s enjoyed since the Breeders Crown Series last November.

In 12 starts during that time, the daughter of Quaker Jet boasts seven wins, three seconds and two thirds.

It was just over a year ago when Golino turned heads before a ho-hum Ballarat race by declaring Im Ready Jet potentially as good if not better than the best trotter he and Driscoll have had, Dance Craze.

She’s well on the way to delivering on that.

While the US awaits, it’s super exciting we will get to see another round of stoushes between Im Ready Jet and Majestuoso in our own backyard right through until the Inter Dominion in November/December.

Fears the change in racing season to a calendar year would hurt the iconic Bathurst Gold Crown series certainly didn’t eventuate judging by last weekend’s great racing.

It was clear after the heats, especially of the two-year-old colts and geldings Crown series, there was serious talent and depth despite the early stages of the new season.

And the final delivered with Rickie Alchin’s Huntsville colt Tardelli leading throughout in a slick 1:54.2min mile rate for the 1730m trip. Only former brilliant Victorian juvenile Jilliby Nitro has gone quicker in the history of the race with his 1:53.8min in 2019.

Buzz Victorian Petracca faced an almost impossible task from an inside back row draw and almost inevitably got back to near last. He smashed the clock by storming home late for third.

It was a huge night for the popular Alchin (pictured), who also trained and drove Soho Rhapsody to an upset win in the 3YO Gold Chalice final for fillies.

Alchin is already looking longer term to a Vicbred campaign with Tardelli at the end of the season.

“First he’s got the Redcliffe Sales series during the big Queensland Carnival and then he’ll have a break and aim for the Vicbred,” he said.

After Soho Rhapsody’s win, Alchin told the story about how a few post-race drinks at Melton with top owner-breeder Rob Watson back in 2015 was behind the result.

Watson promised to send Alchin a horse to train. It was Delightful Jade, the mother of Soho Rhapsody.

“We managed to win a Group 3 with her and when Rob retired her, he said I could train her first foal. That’s Soho Rhapsody,” Alchin said. “He was a man of his word sending me Delightful Jade and her first foal.”

Watson added: “It’s great when a plan comes to fruition. Rickie’s got the Art Major colt out of Delightful Jade, too.”

by Adam Hamilton