He’d love a few more Star Writers

ALEX Alchin is one of many talented young horsemen who grew up in the Riverina who has gone on to forge a permanent place in the New South Wales’ harness racing fraternity.

Making a name for himself was not easy as he followed in the footsteps of his older brothers Jarrod and Rickie, both of whom had already put plenty of runs on the board as successful trainer-drivers.

The boys’ grandfather, Russell Harpley, was a highly-successful horseman from Temora, and he encouraged them to follow his passion.

Alex moved to Sydney 10 years ago to take up a position with David Wilkins and after 12 months moved on to work for the Fitzpatrick family.

Eventually he teamed up with the powerful McCarthy stable, where he became their travelling foremen.

This was a great opportunity for Alchin as he got to travel all over Australia with the many top horses that the McCarthys produced.

“I have learned so much working for top horsemen that have had trust in me to handle their good horses,” said Alchin.

“You pick up so many handy hints when you travel interstate and take in all the different methods that the leading trainers use.”

Alchin is currently training six horses at Menangle but his real “day job” is as a horse dentist, a profession for which he has become very accomplished and is much sought after by both harness and galloping trainers.

“I get the horses worked and then head off to do the dentistry, it keeps me busy, but I love what I do, it is very rewarding,” said Alex.

“My small team is racing well at the moment; we are having a good run.

“Feels Lika A Winner made it five in a row at Penrith last week after she returned to my stable a few weeks ago.

“I had her in Queensland with Jack Butler and she won three at Redcliffe in the space of two weeks.

“She is well-travelled and is such a versatile filly.”

Alex has two square trotters in work and four-year-old Sobomba was a strong winner at Tabcorp Park Menangle on July 14.

Alchin heads to Penrith tonight to contest the Claiming Pace (Race 5) with last-start winner, Star Writer.

“He is a nice old horse who is very consistent, I wish I had a barn full of horses like him,” said Alchin.

 – MICHAEL DUMESNY