Menangle harness racing reinsman Jarrod Alchin is set to record a milestone in coming days with the 29-year old sitting on 496 wins as a driver. Alchin has already won three races this week after a double at Goulburn on Monday and a winner at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday.
Alchin drove his first winner Silent Ella on January 11th 2002 at Leeton for Riverina trainer Ray Walker.
"Silent Ella was my first winner and I ended up driving a double after Scootin Ella won on that day as well, when Rickie (Alchin – brother) won his first race he ended up driving a double at the same meeting too," Alchin said.
"I started out in the sport by helping my Pop, (Russ Harpley) he only had two or three in work and I wanted more experience so I contacted Ray Walker and asked him if I could help him after school and on weekends."
After helping Walker for more than five years Alchin decided it was time to leave his hometown of Temora.
"I was going out with Ray's daughter Steph and she moved to Bathurst for university so I thought I'd make a move too and went to Newcastle to work for Tony Halpin but I only lasted three months because I felt it was a bit too far away from Sydney.
"I moved to Sydney and started working for Peter Morris, he gave me a great start giving me a number of driving opportunities because Robbie (Morris) didn't have a licence at that time and Peter Jnr wasn't driving anymore."
Alchin's biggest win came in the 2014 Gr. 1 NSW Oaks when he drove Shes A Runa for David Kennedy.
"That was my first Gr. 1 winner and it was very special, David Kennedy is one of the best trainers I know when it comes to getting a horse fit and ready to peak on a particular day.
"I had run a lot of placings in Gr. 1 races so it was nice to finally break through for my first big win."
Alchin drove the Kennedy trained Deadsetlucky when third in the 2010 Chariots Of Fire.
"The Chariots was probably the biggest race I have driven in and Deadsetlucky ran really well.
"I've had great support from a number of trainers including Dave (Kennedy), John Tapp, Michael Hawke from Canberra has given me a lot of drives recently and Harry Martin and Peter Gadsby have been good supporters of mine as well."
On Saturday night Alchin will drive Supper Waltz Wilson at Menangle in the Gr. 3 Bulli Trotters Cup.
"The big field and the handicap will make it tough for him, he keeps on trying which is a plus but there are a couple in the race that are a bit more brilliant than him.
"I've got some good drives on Tuesday at Menangle so hopefully I can get closer to the 500 winners next week."
Greg Hayes