Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons and a group of his former school friends are enjoying a unique ride thanks to the country galloper Blazing Sword.
This exciting journey is leading them to Flemington on Thursday for the VRC Oaks meeting, where Blazing Sword will compete in the $500,000 Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final over 1600 metres.
Fitzsimmons initially purchased Blazing Sword for $19,000 after the gelding’s first seven starts in NSW for Annabel and Rob Archibald, with the intention of keeping him for himself.
In his 19 starts under his new trainer, Blazing Sword has recorded five wins, three second placings, and three thirds, with his prize money now nearing $175,000.
“I wanted to keep him myself, but the bloke who does my website, he said, ‘I’ll sell some of the horse,'” Fitzsimmons stated. “He rings me up one day and said, ‘I can sell nearly all of this’. I said how much is left and he said, ’17 per cent.’ “I said stop selling, but it’s been good because a lot of the owners in him are old schoolmates and it’s taken them on a ride. “They all went to Albury when he ran third in the Cup, and they carried on like it had won, and they all went to Corowa when it won the Corowa Cup. “He’s been a fun horse.”
Fitzsimmons mentioned that to add to the excitement, most of Blazing Sword’s owners are VRC members and will be in attendance on Thursday.
He noted that while they have owned horses previously, their wins have been sporadic.
“They’ve had horses, but they’ve never had horses that have won more than one race and they’re that excited they’re heading to Oaks Day with a runner,” Fitzsimmons remarked.
Despite the anticipation of Oaks Day, Blazing Sword faces a considerable challenge from the widest barrier in the full field of 16 runners, complemented by four emergencies.
Blake Shinn is set to partner the gelding and will need to overcome the disadvantage of the wide draw.
“It’s quite an even race although the last heat (won by Bel Mezyaan) at Bendigo was the highest rated race,” Fitzsimmons commented. “They’ll probably be the first two favourites, but the thing with them is they have to back up in seven days.”
Explore the available betting markets for the race at leading sports betting platforms.
