Rixon takes the reins

20 September 2022

YOUNG reinsman Will Rixon has been doing the family proud in recent weeks and has found a happy home working with the powerful Ricky Alchin stable.

Alchin makes no secret of the fact he loves sharing his winners around, mostly between himself, Rixon and stable foreman Ricky Hunt.

And he will again take a back seat to Rixon today after handing him the drives on two handy pacers which will start close to favourites in their respective races.

Tell A Tall Story (Race 3) is a relative newcomer from the Victorian stables of Danny O’Brien, who arrived here with a handy record, following wins at Mildura and Ararat.

After a slick Menangle trial win, Tell A Tall Story was sent out a prohibitive $1.40 favourite at Newcastle last week and after showing good gate speed from gate six, wilted slightly in the run home to finish a close third to handy mare Weareallalone.

Alchin has stuck with Rixon for today’s race and after drawing gate one he should be able to hold the lead, maybe throw in a slower second split of the mile, and hold them off in the run home to score his third win from 17 starts.

Rixon will also drive the talented Black Hawk Joe for Alchin in Race 8, where he has been listed as the early favourite at $3.25.

Alchin thought enough of Black Hawk Joe to take him to Queensland during the winter months, where he scored three wins from his seven runs in the Sunshine State.

Rixon also went along for that ride and handled the gelding in two of those wins and, back to his home track today, he should be able to overcome the awkward nine gate and make his presence felt.

Another reinsman worth following is the in-form Blake Fitzpatrick, who is fresh from a winning double with Jalaneel and Caligula at Menangle on Saturday night.

Fitzpatrick heads to Menangle today with several top chances.

While he rated Lindys Love (Race 2) as probably his best hope, he also fancies the chances of handy filly Kowhai Blaze ($4) in Race 9.

“She’s always been a filly with some pretty good wraps on her,” said Fitzpatrick.

“She is only lightly-raced but has high speed and she should be suited to the Menangle style of racing.

“She is first-up today but she did win a trial last week and is forward enough to run a big race.”