By Chris Barsby
Emerging trotting force Tough Monarch is headed to Brisbane.
With Racing Queensland making sweeping changes to the feature race calendar, the trotting features take on a more significant impact during the 2018 Brisbane winter carnival at Albion Park.
During the three nights of the carnival, trotting features include the $14,999 Haras Des Trotteurs FFA, the Gr.2 $30,630 Seelite Windows & Doors Queensland Cup and the Gr.3 $20,630 Haras Des Trotteurs Marathon.
Distances vary each week starting with a 2138m mobile start event followed by 2647m and 3157m standing start events.
Obviously it’s caught the eye of many southern trainers.
And Alchin is no exception.
Tough Monarch, a last start winner at TABCORP Park, Melton on June 23 will arrive in town this week in preparation for the carnival.
“He’s a very good trotter but still learning his craft, he’s got great strength but he’s equally fast with great change-up speed. I’ll miss the opening week and focus solely on the standing start races at the back end of the carnival, it’ll be a short campaign before a quick break and then he’ll be set for the Inter Dominion series later this year.” Alchin said.
A winner of 11 races from 29 starts to date, Tough Monarch could easily boast a stronger record if not for some wayward errors in some of his races.
His biggest victories have come via the Gr.3 $21,600 Game Bid at TABCORP Park, Menangle and the Gr.3 $20,000 Shepparton Trotters Cup.
With Alchin currently campaigning in Brisbane, Tough Monarch has been under the care of Bendigo horseman Chris Svanosio at his past four starts.
“I’d really like to know what sort of handicap we’re looking at with these two races up here but until nominations are taken, it’s almost impossible to work out. Hopefully, it won’t be too big.
“I’m happy to keep him to the standing start events during this stint up here, I think it’s best for him looking long term.
“It sounds like there will be some handy types coming up for these features and that’s great but I wouldn’t be swapping my guy for anything. I’m really excited by him and his future looks really bright.”
Alchin is based at Redcliffe during his winter carnival campaign and has already landed Group One glory following the victory of Regulus in the $100,450 Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sales Series Final back on June 1.
Regulus is now chasing more Group One glory as he prepares for the $100,540 QBRED Triad Final for 2yo colts and geldings on July 21 at Albion Park.