Can Flowers bloom at Bathurst?

Wednesday 22^nd July 2015

Fresh from his 500^th winner as a driver, Jarrod Alchin is hoping Flowers can take advantage of a good barrier draw in Sunday’s Pepper Tree Farm NSW Breeders Challenge Regional Final for two year old fillies.  The daughter of Tell All has only had two runs and has done enough to suggest she will be in the finish this weekend.

Alchin is confident the filly is over a virus she contracted recently and is ready to perform at her best.

“She finished fourth in her Breeders Challenge semi final, but I had to scratch her from the final because she had a high temperature and wasn’t herself, she is well and truly over that now so I’m expecting a good performance this Sunday,” Alchin said.

“The only little concern I do have is that I would have liked to have given her one trial and just ran out of time to do that after I was forced to give her a week off, but she is still forward enough I think.”

Flowers steamed home for second on debut behind Milias Ideal to be beaten a neck and while many assumed she would be a sit and sprint type, Alchin believes she will be very tough as she continues to develop.

“I think down the track she is going to become more stronger than quick, she is green and still learning but when she is working at home she just gives me the feel of being really tough.

“This Sunday Merrywood Ruby is the one to beat, her run last start was very good, from my draw I’ll be looking to hold my position and not get too far back.”

Flowers is raced by Frank and Sue O’Sullivan and is not the first horse they have sent to Alchin.

“I have known Frank and Sue for a very long time, they are very good friends with Ray Walker and I met them when I was working for Ray in Temora.

“They have been great supporters of mine, I’ve had Mantoman, Marooned and Francisco De Gore for them in the past.”

There is a chance Flowers will head to the Breeders Crown should she perform well this weekend.

“There are two options with her, if she races well then she will head to a Victorian trainer for the Breeders Crow,n but if she looks like she has had enough she will come home with me and have a spell.

Flowers will compete in race two on Sunday at Bathurst.  The race is scheduled to begin at 1:15pm.

Greg Hayes