Fitzpatrick faces a two-state feature double

Hall of Fame harness racing trainer Paul Fitzpatrick will be hoping to pull off a two-state feature double in the space of an hour when two of his stable stars go around at Menangle and Ballarat on Saturday night (Nov. 26).

And the veteran trainer will rely on his two eldest sons, Gavin and Blake to get the job done in the two Group 3 events.

Zeuss Bromac (Bettor’s Delight) can get the ball rolling when he tackles the second heat of the first round of the Inter Dominion Pacing Championships at Ballarat.

Perfectly-drawn in gate five, the nuggetty pacer will come into gate three after the scratchings and can land some vital early points in this gruelling series.

Just 51 minutes later, his other stable ace, Jay OK (A Rocknroll Dance) will chase the Tony Turnbull Free-For-All at Menangle, where he has been posted a $3.50 second favourite alongside the talented Jilliby Kung Fu and behind the in-form Stingray Tara in the 2300m affair.

Fitzpatrick has been a perennial contender in Inter Dominions over the years and expects Zeuss Bromac to be perfectly suited to the conditions of the Inter Dominion which sees the finalists race four times in the space of two weeks.

“I’ve had horses in eight or 10 Inter Dominions, something like that,” Fitzpatrick told National Trotguide’s Mike Ko’cass.

“Smooth Cruiser has probably been our most enjoyable contender over the years and one year we did have three runners in Adelaide, which was great.

“I still think the three heats in one week and then backing up for the final is probably the best way to decide the winner.”

Fitzpatrick said Zeuss Bromac was probably in the strongest heat on Saturday night.

“Five is a nice draw and he has been a great little horse over a period of time,” he said.

“If he gets any luck in the run, he’ll go well.

“He’s raced all these horses before and just needs the right run.

“He’s such an honest little horse. And he loves the longer races.

“He’ll also handle backing up three times in a week.

“Although he’s only tiny, he’s very strong, this horse.

“If he can land in the first five or six, I’ll be more than happy.”

Jay OK will also have his work cut out, drawing the outside of the front line at Menangle, although the small field gives the gelding a chance to win his 15^th race from just 43 starts.

For complete race fields for Menangle, click here.

For complete race fields for Ballarat, click here.

by Michael Court, for HRNSW