Top trotter glad to be home

VETERAN trotter Tough Monarch appreciated a return to his favourite track.

Enjoying no luck during a recent Victorian campaign, Tough Monarch was back at Club Menangle and back in the winners’ circle last night.

The Ricky Alchin-trained gelding was also successful during his previous outing around the 1400-metre track before being taken south.

“Nothing really went his way in Victoria,” Alchin said. “He still went well, but just couldn’t get the job done.”

Thriving on the spacious circuit, Tough Monarch began quickly to lead from barrier five as the field travelled in ‘Indian file’.

Striding clear along the back straight, the son of Monarchy was never seriously challenged on his way to an 11-and-a-half metre win from Empire Bay.

Aleppo Murphy was a short half-head away third.

“He does enjoy racing at Menangle,” Alchin said. “Once he got to the front I just let him roll along as she pleased and he did it easily in the end.

“I never asked him to really go at any stage and he got to the line with a bit up his sleeve.”

Citing the Group One Trotters’ Mile as a likely target for the 10-year-old, Alchin’s only ‘set plan’ is taking Tough Monarch to Queensland for the Winter Carnival in July.

The Trotters’ Mile is part of the phenomenal Garrards Miracle Mile program at Club Menangle on March 5.

“At this stage I’m not really setting anything for him and will see how he is going as each race comes up,” Alchin said.

“I would like to have him in Queensland during winter, but again, I will see how he is going at the time.”