Teenager’s career up and away with five wins in a fortnight

Teenage driver Zara Fitzpatrick is sweeping all before her in New South Wales harness racing, and she had no doubts from a very young age where her career path was going to take her.

“From as long as I can remember, I was always wanting to be involved with horses. I’ve just always loved them,” she said.

Zara, 16, has had a whirlwind start to what is shaping as an exciting career. The youngster kicked off with five wins from 11 race drives – all in the space of 14 days!

Based at Cawdor, near Menangle, Zara is the eldest daughter of prominent harness racing couple Blake and Lisa Fitzpatrick.

“The support from my parents, other relatives and friends has been unreal. Dad has always been my idol and he’s very good in that he’s always there to help me with advice and point things out,” Zara said.

“Some of the senior drivers have also been terrific which I’m grateful for along with the trainers who are now giving me outside driving opportunities.”

Zara drove in her first race six days after celebrating her 16th birthday when all the paperwork had been approved and ended up being declared the winner on Ima Queen Bee (Rock N Roll Heaven), at Penrith (Mar 14) in unusual circumstances.

Stewards disqualified the winner Sara Ta Sloy after viewing footage of the race. They determined that reinsman Jack Brown had gone inside the marker pegs.

“I finished second, and I was absolutely rapt. Then when I got told later I’d been awarded the first placing, it was a big surprise, but it felt a bit funny,” Zara said.

“It was a different way to get your first-ever winner, but it was even better that I was on a horse that dad trains,” she said.

“We were all pretty excited, but there weren’t any celebrations because we had work the next day!  It’s a 6am start and there’s about 40 horses to work.”

The enthusiastic youngster then made it two in less than 24 hours when she teamed with her father to score with Debonaire (Sweet Lou) at Newcastle.

“I’m learning all the time, but I think I’m perhaps getting on the right horses that are graded very suitably in their races. But I suppose I pretty much watch every race going around, so I’m doing the form beforehand,” Zara said.

The talented teenager has won four races at Penrith and one at Newcastle – and although all have been very special, Zara was quick to point out that the victory with Mitchells Run (Art Major) at Penrith on Thursday night (Mar 28) meant so much as it is trained by her pop, Paul Fitzpatrick. Later in the night she recorded her first winning double when successful with Beau Steele (He’s Watching) for Jack Trainor.

Zara is off to compete at Bathurst on Wednesday (April 3) where she has been engaged to drive two horses.

“I’ll have to get a lift with someone because I’m not old enough to get a car driving license yet,” she laughed.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink