No Breeders Challenge success but the show goes on

The Fitzpatrick harness racing family from Cawdor has a proud history of success in past years in the New South Wales Breeders Challenge Series.

Surprisingly, this year’s series was not one of their most successful.

“We did have a quiet time, by our own standards, in the Breeders Challenge Series this year,” said trainer-driver Gavin Fitzpatrick.

“We raced some of our horses in the heats, but none progressed through to the finals.”

Currently Gavin is assisting his father, Paul, working 30 horses, which is keeping them busy.

The Fitzpatricks are regulars at Penrith where on Thursday night they have six runners contesting the nine-race program.

“We certainly have a busy night at Penrith, and I am heading there with a strong book of drives,” said Gavin.

Fitzpatrick will drive five for this father and three others for outside trainers.

“I would say my best winning chance would be with Rocknpenny in the opening event,” he said.

“On breeding, he would be a moral, being a half-brother to Miss Halfpenny and Saturday night’s Breeders Challenge winner Anntonia.

“He is not quite at their level, but he is still a pretty nice horse nonetheless.”

Rocknpenny was a winner on debut at Menangle in March and was sent for a spell after three further placings in April.

Since resuming in September his form has been consistent and he did finish second at Penrith last start, beaten just over a length in quick time.

“I am hoping he can find the lead from gate three and if that happens, he will be hard to beat,” said Fitzpatrick.

Gavin’s second drive of the night is last-start winner American Made, who has drawn awkwardly in gate seven.

The gelding has won three of his past five outings and if he can find a way through, he should pose a real threat to the favourite Heston Zoolander.

Fitzpatrick also rates consistent filly Elektra as a strong chance in Race 4.

The three-year-old has impeccable form, winning three and running placings in eight of her 13 race starts.

She ran third in her Breeders Challenge heat, just missing a berth in the semi-final.

“Elektra has not drawn all that well out in gate six but has plenty of class and rarely runs a bad race,” said Fitzpatrick.

“Of my other drives, Starzzzinthemakin (Race 5) will definitely appreciate the drop in class from his recent Menangle assignments.”

To view the fields for Penrith on Thursday night click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW