Gavin gives punters the perfect pointer

In-form harness racing reinsman Gavin Fitzpatrick has given punters the perfect pointer to regally-bred mare Wainui Creek’s (Bettor’s Delight) chances in Saturday’s $30,600 Ladyship Stakes at Tabcorp Park Menangle.

Fitzpatrick has forfeited the opportunity to drive one of his favourite pacers Zeuss Bromac (Bettor’s Delight) in tonight’s (Jul. 16) $152,000 Garrards Sunshine Sprint at Brisbane’s Albion Park track.

Despite driving Zeuss Bromac in eight of his 11 wins for his trainer/father Paul Fitzpatrick, Gavin has decided to stay at Menangle to partner the talented Wainui Creek as the former Kiwi pacer chases her 16^th win from just 57 starts.

No-one can say it was the barrier draws that prompted Gavin’s decision . . . Zeuss Bromac and Wainui Creek will both have to contend with outside draws in their respective features.

“Zeuss’s draw is not ideal and if they run along, he can still come from the back; he just needs some luck in running,” Gavin told National Trotguide’s Mike Ko’cass.

“There is plenty of gate speed there and they should run along and Zeuss has got better with every run and his last run was his best so far.”

Gavin said he was keen on Wainui Creeks prospects.

“She’s always shown good gate speed and seems to like to roll along in her races,” he said.

“She’s pretty quick out so hopefully we can get across and adopt similar tactics.

“Out stable has two in the race but I chose Wainui Creek after her run last week.”

That leaves Paul and Gavin’s stable foreman Sean Grayling to drive their other starter, Be My Rose (American Ideal), who is first-up since mid-February but has the benefit of two handy trials, including a last start second to the smart Steno in a 1:51.8 trial at Menangle earlier this month.

“Wainui has the race fitness although our other horse is pretty forward,” said Gavin.

He will also partner one of his old favourites in the classy square-gaiter Major Thomas (Lawman) in a $20,400 Trotters Discretionary Handicap (Race 8), where he is perfectly-drawn in gate three.

His brother Blake will provide one of his major dangers with One Majic Kenny (Majestic Son), who should now be at peak fitness following four runs from a spell.

Blake’s stable assistant Sofia Arvidsson also has a great chance of winning the final two races on the program when she drives Tuesday’s afternoon’s winner Doubtless Bay (Bettor’s Delight) for Jason Grimson in Race 7 and her own trotter Gus An Maori (Angus Hall) in Race 8.

For complete race fields, click here.

by Michael Court, for HRNSW