In Brief
- Spacing runs proves a winning formula for Fitzwilliam.
- Jockeys says gelding was always travelling like the winner.
- Tee Jay Frankie wins despite not being comfortable on synthetic.
Trainer Stuart Gandy is confident he has found the secret to getting the best from his handy sprinter Fitzwilliam following the gelding’s narrow but impressive win in a class three handicap over 1009m in Devonport on Sunday.
Gandy says spacing the gelding’s races at least four weeks apart appears to suit the gelded son of Wordsmith.
Fitzwilliam won in Devonport four weeks prior in a 0-60 ratings race over the same distance.
On Sunday, with David Pires in the saddle, Fitzwilliam settled just off a solid tempo set by Loki Patera and despite being flushed out earlier than expected the gelding gathered in the leader and went on to defeat Loki Patera by a narrow margin.
“We’ve discovered that he races best when his races are about a month apart and while we can find short distance races for him in that pattern, he should continue to be competitive,” Gandy said.
“The horse is in really good order and while he’s kept fresh there should be more wins for him this prep.”
Pires said the gelding was always travelling like the winner.
“We got flushed out sooner than I would have liked but he felt really good under me and finished the race off really well,” Pires said.
“The leader kept finding in the straight, but my horse was always going to win.”
Loki Patera fought on courageously after doing all the bullocking work in front, so he should not be far off winning again, while Date Night was doing his best work at the business end.
Tee Jay Frankie
Gandy also is looking forward to racing returning to the turf as he is confident his promising young stayer Tee Jay Frankie will shine once he gets back on grass.
And that is despite the gelding breaking his maiden status on the Devonport synthetic on Sunday over 1350m.
Tee Jay Frankie (David Pires) was sent out the $1.90 favourite and punters would have been smiling at the half-way mark when he was travelling sweetly in second outside the leader Revolution Queen.
But as they straightened for the run home Elite Diva, that trailed the leader, eased out to challenge and forged clear but under strong riding from Pires, Gandy’s gelding knuckled down to his task and went on to score narrowly.
“I’m sure this horse doesn’t really like this track, but he’s won all the same,” Gandy said.
“I’ll put him away now and wait until we are back racing on the turf.”
The first meeting back on grass is scheduled to be in Hobart on 4 October.
Watch Fitzwilliam score an impressive win in a class 3 handicap over 1009m on Sunday.