It is a good thing Archie Alexander used his time wisely the past two Saturdays, because there will be little opportunity for household chores or family time this weekend.
The Ballarat horseman has four runners engaged this Saturday, at four different venues spread across three states.
Alexander will be represented by Didn’t Miss Many at Sandown, Prince Eric at Rosehill, Breathless Spirit at Murray Bridge and Mr Charismatic at Bendigo.
It presents a logistical challenge, but one the Englishman is happy to undertake on racing’s most lucrative day of the week.
“Three weekends ago we had a Saturday winner and the two weekends in between we’ve had no runners,” Alexander said.
“The last two Saturdays I’ve sat at home mowing the lawn, then you have a weekend like this where you’re all heading in different directions.
“We’re lucky we’ve got enough good people and transport to make it fairly smooth and hopefully on Sunday we can have something to show for it.”
Alexander will head to Sydney on Saturday morning to take over from Dave Mulcahy, who left Ballarat with Prince Eric on Thursday, his wife Annie will be in charge at Sandown, travelling foreman Glenn Xiberras is off to Murray Bridge, with Greg Baker Bendigo-bound.
Xiberras is most likely to have a winner in tow according to bookies, who have Breathless Spirit favourite for the $65,000 Sportsbet Nobody Does It Easier Handicap (2000m) at Murray Bridge, where he will be ridden by Jacob Opperman.
The import is chasing a hat-trick of wins after BM62 and BM66 wins on his home track and Alexander said it was great to see the five-year-old son of Invincible Spirit acclimatised.
“We took our time with him and this time in everything has just clicked,” Alexander said.
“We knew he was back in great form when he had a good run at Geelong first-up, then he’s put two wins together.
“I think there are a few quite handy horses in this race, but I think he’s got a lot of upside.
“He’s not badly in at the weights, 56.5 (kilos) with a good jockey on board and the drier the better.”
The Murray Bridge track was rated a Soft 5 on Friday morning, although there are predictions of showers on raceday.
Alexander is convinced Didn’t Miss Many is going well enough to make it back-to-back Sandown wins, despite a wide draw tempering his enthusiasm, and he is optimistic Prince Eric can outrun his odds at his first start outside Victoria since coming from the UK in the 2000m BM78.
“He won at Sandown in England, which is right handed, so there’ll be no issue there, he’s a very chilled horse, so he’ll travel well and I think he’s in with a good chance,” he said.
Prince Eric, a $19 chance, will be ridden by Ash Morgan with their pair to jump from barrier four.
