The barrier draw did little for their chances in the Australasian Breeders Crown 3YO colts and geldings final, but the Fitzpatrick camp will be doing their best to uphold national pride with Lombo Pocket Watch at Ballarat on Sunday.
The Paul Fitzpatrick-trained, Gavin Fitzpatrick-driven superstar will take on New Zealand gun Changeover in the most eagerly anticipated of the six Group 1 events on “Super Sunday”.
The pair both had little trouble setting up the final everyone hoped for, effortlessly winning their respective semi-finals.
Lombo Pocket Watch has a tricky inside back row draw of eight to overcome, but Gavin Fitzpatrick said the desire to get one back on Changeover, who will start barrier three on Sunday, will be a driving force going into the $168,000 race over 2200 metres.
The pair’s only meeting to date was in the Great Northern Derby at Auckland in March, which resulted in a three-quarters-of-a-metre win to the Kiwi.
“It should be a great race,” Fitzpatrick said. “He had the wood on us in Auckland, so we’ll be looking to turn the tables.”
Fitzpatrick will be following the Chris Alford-driven The Gunstar, the third placegetter in Lombo Pocket Watch’s semi-final, out from the mobile barrier.
Semi-final second placegetters Boris Badenov and Mister Swinger drew barrier five and seven respectively in Sunday’s final.
Changeover’s trainer Geoff Small was understandably happy with the barrier draw and is looking forward to the battle.
“That’s what it’s all about, getting people to come along and watch so hopefully we get a few along and we can deliver on the day,” Small said.
The 3YO colts and geldings final is the penultimate event on Sunday’s 10-race card and will be run at 4.50pm.
