Saturday will mark Blake Fitzpatrick's first trip to Sydney as a thoroughbred trainer and he's determined to ensure it's not the last.
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A harness racing veteran, he has branched out to the gallopers and will travel to Randwick with mare Designer Maid for the Midway.
With a desire to contest the industry's biggest races, the Kembla Grange trainer views the experience as a stepping stone.
"We're trying to build our stable," Fitzpatrick said. "To get some provincial and city-grade horses would be great.
"We work a small team of around 10. They've all been racing consistently, albeit on the country scene. We're hoping to find a horse good enough to take to the city."
Fitzpatrick has trained and driven multiple Group 1 trotters, however the idea of working with thoroughbreds has always appealed to him.
He continues to work in both industries despite the differences between the breeds. While he has had to adapt his training methods, Fitzpatrick is confident many of his skills transfer between the two.
"There are some methods we use for both, but as far as work, they're total opposites.
"They're totally different breeds. The standardbreds are tough and thrive on work. The thoroughbreds are quite fragile, so it's been an experience."
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