For a number of months, Bendigo trainer Tim Fitzsimmons has been formulating a strategy to compete in one of the final Stakes races of the Australian racing season.
The Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville is recognised as one of three races nationwide that bestow ‘Black Type’ status. It is joined by the Listed H G Bolton Sprint (1200m) at Belmont and the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Fitzsimmons is heading to Morphettville with Yuuki, a filly who has recorded two wins from nine starts, for the set-weights race designated for two and three-year-olds.
Yuuki achieved her initial victory at Swan Hill three starts ago and followed it up with a win at Seymour. Her most recent run on June 7 at Swan Hill saw her finish sixth behind the notable Cruiserweight.
To ensure she was ready for Saturday’s engagement, Yuuki participated in a 700m jump-out at Bendigo on July 14, which she won.
“She’s going really well,” Fitzsimmons stated.
“She didn’t have much luck at her last start when she was four-wide with no cover at Swan Hill, but that has proven to be a pretty strong form race with Cruiserweight coming out and winning and her form was pretty hard to fault before that.
“She’s always run into a good one. Point Barrow, then Celtics and Cruiserweight and even the horse she beat in her maiden, Scoobartie, has come out and won two convincingly.
“She’s drawn wide, which is a pain, but we’re hoping for a bit more rain as she loves it with a bit of sting out.
“We’re chasing some ‘Black Type’ as the owner wants to breed with her eventually and this has been a long-range plan. We planned this race six months ago.
“Hopefully we can get a nice run from that gate, and it seems at Morphettville they do get away from the fence, so hopefully it’s not the worst place to be.”
Queensland-based jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor has been booked to ride Yuuki, as well as Fitzsimmons’s other stable contenders, Olatunde and Blazing Sword.
Fitzsimmons explained his reasoning for bringing his own rider across to pilot his trio, with a particular focus on Yuuki for the main race of the day.
“We asked Michael Rodd who came to Albury for us earlier on, but he couldn’t make it,” Fitzsimmons said.
“We used Kyle when I was in Singapore and he came up and rode Golden Monkey, so there’s that connection.
“I like the way he rides, he’s a patient rider, and he jumped at the opportunity, so it was good to lock someone in early and not have to worry about it.”
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