Ultimate season for Alchin so far

What does the rest of the season have in store for harness racing trainer-driver Jarrod Alchin?

The Menangle Park horseman has a juvenile team many wish they had and has already collected two Group 1 races with them this term.

At Tabcorp Park Menangle yesterday, another of Alchin’s juvenile team made a statement when his filly Madrid claimed the Group 3 APG Gold Sovereign.

The daughter of Bling It On and Lombo Mandingo mare Lillylane spaced her rivals by more than 29m in a mile rate of 1:54.4.

It was just her second start.

“She’s a nice little filly and I have always thought that about her,” said Alchin.

“After her first up run, I said to the owners not to be disappointed as she wasn’t hard fit like the others.

“Then she got a cold and I gave her a bit of a freshen up and her trial last week tightened her up nicely for yesterday’s win.

“She hasn’t always had the best of manners but it’s all starting to come together.

“She’s got great speed and that‘s a huge asset to have.”

Alchin has earmarked the upcoming Breeders Challenge series for Madrid.

“The Breeders Challenge is her main aim and also the Breeders Blue as she is by Bling It On,” said Alchin.

Alchin has a strong raid headed towards the Breeders Challenge with the likes of My Ultimate Byron and My Ultimate Cobber also being aimed at the series.

My Ultimate Byron won the Australian Pacing Gold Bullion Final in April while his stablemate My Ultimate Levi won last Saturday night’s Albion Park Gold Final in Queensland, providing Alchin with his two Group 1 winners this season.

“I’m happy with two Group 1 wins this season but we could have a strong backend of the season too,” said Alchin.

“My Ultimate Levi’s win was very unexpected, I just thought from the draw he would be a place chance but everything fell into place for him and Nathan Dawson drove an unbelievable race.

“He’ll come back home and have a good spell . . . he’s very immature and doesn’t hold a lot of weight so needs a good break.

“My Ultimate Byron is getting very close to racing again.

“There was some strong performances at Menangle yesterday but I still think My Ultimate Byron is the benchmark of the two-year-olds this season.

“It’s exciting to think what the future holds for him.”

Of those Menangle performances yesterday, the Brian Portelli-trained Smaltese claimed the boys’ leg of the Group 3 APG Gold Sovereign in a mile rate of 1:53.2 – see race replay above.

The son of Sweet Lou became the third-fastest two-year-old in Australia for the season when winning at his previous start in 1:52.5.

My Ultimate Byron is the second fastest of his age group in Australia this term when winning his big feature in 1:52.4.

Meanwhile, the fastest two-year-old this season is Mister Rae when winning the Sapling Stakes at Menangle in 1:52.1.

Mister Rae is trained by Ray Walker who is Alchin’s father-in-law.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink