IT’S a substantial drop in grade from his recent triumph at the venue, but that doesn’t mean Paul Fitzpatrick isn’t just as eager for a win when he heads back to Club Menangle today.
Three nights ago Fitzpatrick added another Group One to his tally when he trained Captain Ritchie to capture an Australian Pacing Gold Bullion Final at Club Menangle.
Driven by Fitzpatrick’s son, Gavin, Captain Ritchie began quickly from barrier 10 to be settled two-back along the pegs as the previously unbeaten My Ultimate Snowy led from gate three.
Angled into the clear at the top of the home straight, Captain Ritchie reached the front in the last stride to score by a short half-head from Sweetheart Bart, which trailed the pacemaker.
Captains Knock was five-and-a-half metres away third in 1:52.8 over the 1609-sprint.
This time around Fitzpatrick will be represented by Lucky Beach Boy, which will be searching for a drought-breaking victory.
First-up since May 2021, Lucky Beach Boy’s previous win was in Penrith on December 30, 2020.
The son of Somebeachsomewhere has had two solids trials, including a win last week.
“He’s going to need the run, but he is as fit as he can be going into his first run for nearly 12 months,” Fitzpatrick said.
“He’s drawn wide in eight, which isn’t ideal over a mile, but I expect a good showing from him.”
Elsewhere on the card another of Fitzpatrick’s sons, Blake, has several runners engaged, including three in the opening event – a Two-Year-Old Trotters’ Foundation heat.
Runner-up upon debut a fortnight ago, Vitellius gets his chance to break his maiden from the pole.
The son of Andover Hall will be joined by his stablemates Burkhardt and Corsica, which have drawn gates seven and eight.
Poised to make his first trip to the races, Corsica is from feature winning mare Parisian Chic.
