13 November 2019
Trainer Rickie Alchin was all smiles after his star trotter Tough Monarch took out the Group One Trotters Free For All on Tuesday at Addington. He led nearly all the way holding off fast finishing Victorian McLovin in a mile rate of 1.57.6.
Alchin remarked that it was a “bloody thrill” to take the victory on Tuesday, but admitted the job isn’t finished as Tough Monarch backs up in Friday’s Group One Airpark Canterbury Dominion over 3200m.
“He’s pulled up really well and is bright as a button so things are looking positive for Friday. He’s in a really good frame of mind too” Alchin said of Tough Monarch’s recovery.
Whilst everything appeared to go to plan on the track, things were nearly very different as driver Anthony Butt had his flight from Sydney cancelled the night before. “I didn’t know about it until the morning when he rang and said it’ll be touch and go, but he arrived literally one minute before they went out on track.
“I didn’t bring any driving gear with me, which was always part of my plan, so I had Blake Fitzpatrick lined up to take the drive if Anthony didn’t make it” Alchin said.
Tough Monarch will likely start from barrier 4 (once emergencies come out) for Friday afternoon’s $300,000 feature. “He’s faired pretty well again (in the barrier draw) and he doesn’t mind being a little wider at the start. He should step well and if he’s on the pace again then we’ll be looking pretty good” Alchin commented.
The Sydney-based trainer, originally from Temora, has been well supported back home acknowledging that he hasn’t even started responding to the messages he’s received because there are so many of them. “I’ve got so many messages. Plenty from Sydney and even people back in Temora. People you wouldn’t even think that are following the horse have sent me a message”.
The Group One Airpark Canterbury Dominion (3200m) is scheduled for 2:38pm (Sydney time) on Friday.
Image: Harness Racing NZ