Trainer-driver Rickie Alchin.
Menangle Park based horseman Rickie Alchin made it three Group 1 wins in as many months on Saturday evening.
Alchin, who to date is enjoying his best starts to a season, won the Group 1 New South Wales Trotters Oaks with regally bred filly Tough Love.
The daughter of French stallion Love You recorded her eighth win from fourteen starts, taking her career earnings past $65,000 with her emphatic win.
“She is a topline filly that is for sure,” said Alchin.
“She was fully extended on Saturday night, falling in to win by a head after having a big lead. But I do not feel that leading on her is the best way to drive her. When she can get into races run with a more genuine tempo, I am sure we will see an even better horse.”
“I have been fortunate to have trained all the progeny from this filly’s dam Tough Tussle. She was a lovely race mare herself and apart from this one, has produced our champion square gaiter Tough Monarch and another named Tougher who has had just one start, winning with ease at Menangle last month. She has a lot of upside.”
In the space of half an hour on Saturday night Alchin racked up an interstate treble as not long after Tough Love scored her win, another of his stable stars, Crunch Time scored an effortless win at Albion Park.
Then Captain Crusader romped away with the consolation of the APG Gold Bullion for four year olds back at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
“It was satisfying to land an interstate treble as that was a first for our stable.”
“Nights like that do not just happen. My team works hard to achieve results and I am fortunate to have people around me that put in the hard yards.”
“I was so pleased to see Crunch Time and Captain Crusader get back into the winner’s circle. They are half-brothers and both have raced at the top level right throughout their respective careers. And they have plenty of wins still left in them.”
Rickie will travel to Newcastle this afternoon with just one pacer, Zacharooni in race six. The gelding is returning from a spell, but Alchin is confident that the son of Bling It On is fit and ready for his first up assignment.
