Cawdor trainer Paul Fitzpatrick is setting his sights on two of his three year old crop bringing home the bacon in the Pepper Tree Farm NSW Breeders Challenge finals at Tabcorp Park Menangle this Sunday.
Fitzpatrick will supply Sally Fletcher in the $125,000 three year old fillies final and Milliondollar Wave in the equally lucrative three year old entires and geldings event.
His son Gavin is the driver for Sally Fletcher.
Both horses have drawn favourably in midfield which gives Fitzpatrick a touch of confidence.
“Both of them have got a good chance of winning,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“And with both races to be run over the extended distance of 2400m, both horses get that extra 100m to settle into their rhythm and find a decent position.
“That’s a big advantage with the draws,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“The 2400m is a different start to the 2300m and they’re both drawn nicely.
“Although, there is a fair bit of speed on the inside in Sally Fletcher’s race with two of the favourites drawn on the inside of her.’’
Fitzpatrick believes Sally Fletcher will run well but realises she is facing some class horses in the race.
There are dangers everywhere but perhaps none more so than Kiwi raider, Mark Purdon’s Supersonic Miss.
However, timing could play a key role in Sally Fletcher’s chances of taking out Group One glory.
“She’s nearly back to her best,” Fitzpatrick said.
“She’s had a good preparation and has peaked just at the right time for the final.
“She came second in her heat (to Bamako Mali) and finished third in the semi (behind Makes Every Scents).”
Fitzpatrick and Milliondollar Wave will renew rivalries with his semi final victor, the Steve Turnbull trained Mouse In The House and will also face star Kiwi, Kept Under Wraps, in the “boys” final.
In stark contrast to Sally Fletcher’s preparation, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Milliondollar Wave.
“He was a bit disappointing in his heat,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“He only ran fifth and we don’t know why he didn’t run better than that, although he did have a bit of bad luck in the running.’’[/social_quote]
It’s business as usual for Fitzpatrick in the lead-up to Sunday’s big day of racing.
“I try to keep things as normal as possible,’’ he said.
All the action is scheduled to start at 12.07pm on Sunday during the 10-race card which features six Group One races.
• Picture and story by Sean Cunningham/National Trot Guide
