Hit-and-run mission for Fitzpatrick

Cawdor harness racing trainer-driver Blake Fitzpatrick heads to Bathurst tonight (Jun. 28) on a hit-and-run mission with three runners.

Fitzpatrick’s main aim will be to give his two-year-old filly Ima Queen Bee (Rock N Roll Heaven) her first race start.

Following five education trials, Fitzpatrick sought out a race restricted to maiden runners to give his youngster experience and determine where she was at in her preparation.

By Rock N Roll Heaven, Ima Queen Bee is out of My Double Dream, a mare who won almost $670,000 in stakes from 29 wins and her trial form suggests that she has talent, the most recent being at Penrith when she led over the 1720m journey and scorched home in a 57.9s last half.

“Her trials have been quite sound and although she has drawn wide in the eight gate, the smaller field should suit her and I feel she can go close to winning,” said Fitzpatrick.

“The trip away will do her no harm and sometimes you just have to travel to find suitable races.”

Regarded as one of the best reinsmen in the state, Fitzpatrick does not drive in races as much as he has in the past but still maintains a strong winning strike rate with a team of horses split between pacers and square-gaiters.

Apart from training his standardbreds, Fitzpatrick has also turned his hand to preparing a small team of thoroughbreds and he has met with a degree of success on the provincial and country galloping circuits, and on occasions has also had the odd city runner.

Amanda Turnbull again has a strong hand in tonight’s Bathurst meeting with five runners from her own stable, while she will drive in seven of the nice races.

Turnbull brought up her 1000th winner as a trainer last Wednesday night and her stable runners are strongly fancied to take out the first four races tonight.

She has former Kiwi pacer Art Lincoln engaged in the opening race.

This gelding was well fancied at his first Australian start at Tabcorp Park Menangle on June 6 but finished at the tail of the field.

After that disappointing effort, Turnbull took the Michael Boots-owned pacer back to the trials where he breezed around to win, rating 1:58.1, which suggests that he is back on track for a more forward showing tonight.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW