Blake’s team heads north

Leading harness racing trainer-driver Blake Fitzpatrick is confident with the team he has in at Newcastle on Saturday night.

The 33-year-old mentor has three horses nominated, which includes a two-pronged attack in a heat of Harness Breeders New South Wales Go Girlfriend Series.

Headlining the charge is the former Victorian mare Helens Bonus who is well-graded for the heat.

"Helens Bonus is a very underrated mare," Fitzpatrick said.

"In the Breeders Challenge she had no luck and practically did not get a clear run.

"Ability wise she is quite a smart mare and it wouldn't surprise me if she won on Saturday night even though she has drawn wide."

Fitzpatrick's other runner in the heat is Annajodi who has not missed a place since racing in Australia.

The New Zealand-bred mare has won three of her five starts on this side of the Tasman.

"The owner Flora Robson purchased her from NZ and the mare has just been a real improver," Fitzpatrick said.

"This will be her biggest test but based on her work this week she should put in a good race."

Fitzpatrick's third runner on the night is Absolution.

"He is a three-year-old taking on older horses but he is blessed with gatespeed and drawn one over the mile I think he will be a good chance," Fitzpatrick said.

However, the Cawdor conditioner will not be at Newcastle to drive his team as he also has his trotter Glenferrie Burn engaged at Tabcorp Park Menangle that night.

"She was also unlucky in the Breeders Challenge Final and probably should have won the race but was shuffled back with a bit of interference," he said.

"I'm also driving Match In Heaven for Dad (Paul Fitzpatrick) and if he goes well he will head up to Queensland for the Derby next weekend."

Amanda Rando