Aiming to join siblings as Group One winner

EXCEPTIONALLY-BRED youngster Tougher will aim to join a pair of her siblings as a ‘black type’ this weekend.

A half-sister to Group One winners Tough Monarch and Tough Love, Tougher is engaged in Saturday night’s New South Wales Trotters’ Oaks at Club Menangle.

The trio are from broodmare gem Tough Tussle, which boasts four winners from five starters.

Trained by Rickie Alchin – who also prepared Tough Monarch and Tough Love – Tougher is by Muscle Mass.

A winner at her only start last season, Tougher was a handy fourth a fortnight ago when first-up from a 12-month break.

“I was pleased with her run from a long spell and she has improved since,” Alchin said. “She will certainly need to improve though as she will be stepping up in class on the weekend.

“She only had one start as a two-year-old, which was after several trials, as she got on her knees a bit, which Tough Monarch also did as a young horse.

“Her work this time in has been terrific and she’s ready to run a good race, but will need luck.”

To be driven by Alchin, Tougher will begin from barrier five, with TAB Fixed Odds listing the filly among the outsiders at $51.

Quality Victorian squaregaiter Rockinwithattitude is the $1.90 favourite from gate nine for trainer David Miles.

“Rockinwithattitude is clearly the one to beat,” Alchin said. “She proved herself to the best of the crop last season and no doubt David will have her primed for this.”