Intriguing affair

TODAY’S first event at Club Menangle shapes as an intriguing affair.

A field of nine will tackle the 1609-metre contest, which doubles as the opening heat of the popular Trotters’ Foundation series.

While that is nothing out of the ordinary, what makes his qualifier so interesting is every runner is a debutante.

A regular fixture in trotting races on a Tuesday, prominent trainer Blake Fitzpatrick has three entries in the field.

To be driven by Bailey McDonough, well-bred filly My First Lady has fared best of the trio in barrier five.

By Pastor Stephen, the two-year-old is from Glenferrie Conquer, which boasts a perfect record from three starters.

An unraced mare, Glenferrie Conquer is the dam of last season’s Trotters’ Foundation Final winner Cee Cee in Paris, as well as Group Two New South Wales Trot winner Malibuu.

Cee Cee in Paris and Malibuu are also members of the Fitzpatrick stable.

The family also includes millionaire trotter Speeding Spur, Group One winners Adellas Dash and Glenferrie Dreamer, along with Group Two winners All Cashed Up and Glenferrie Burn and $75,000 Sales Classic winner, Howdy Mate.

With Fitzpatrick’s daughter Zara to take the reins, San Antonio will begin from gate eight.

San Antonio is the second foal from French broodmare Falaise Madrik, which is a half-sister to champion squaregaiter The Best Madrik.

Hampton Court rounds out Fitzpatrick’s crew, with the colt drawn barrier nine.

From Group One winning mare Royal Treat, Hampton Court traces back to La Coocaracha.

One of the greatest trotting mares produced in the southern hemisphere, La Coocaracha won six Group Ones on both sides of the Tasman during the early 2000s.

As a broodmare La Coocaracha is exceeding her racing feats.

Recently retired from breeding, the matron boasts 10 winners from 11 starters, including three Group One winners and a Group Two winner.

La Coocaracha is also the grand dam of a Group One and two Group Three winners.

La Coocaracha’s grandson – a colt from her daughter Dance Craze – sold for a record $250,000 on Sunday.

Dance Craze was prepared throughout her career by Anton Golino, who has Majaro Girl drawn barrier four.

A daughter of Group Two winner Monaro Maro, Majaro Girl has produced a pair of eye-catching trials recently, including a second behind Queensland raider, Im Frankee, last week.

Star concession reinsman Jye Coney will partner Majaro Girl.

Trained by astute horseman Graham Dwyer, Im Frankee has drawn to begin his career on a perfect note from the pole.

Im Frankee began from barrier one before scoring by 11-and-a-half metres in her trial, where she covered the mile in 2:02.7.

Local reinsman Cameron Hart will drive the daughter of Southwind Frank.