Rising star ready to shine – again

A SHINING star among the driving ranks at Club Menangle last Saturday night, Zara Fitzpatrick hopes to burn just as brightly when she returns to Australasia’s premier circuit today.

Among New South Wales’ most talented young drivers, Fitzpatrick captured two New South Wales Trot Finals in what is just her second metropolitan double.

Fitzpatrick registered for maiden double on June 13 when her wins on that occasion including a $100,000 Australian Pacing Gold Final with Swinging Queen.

This time around the 18-year-old was successful with Cee Cee In Paris and Malibuu.

Leading throughout from barrier five, Cee Cee In Paris scored by four-and-a-half metres from Brother Mountain, with Gladiatrix two metres away third in the $50,000 decider for three-year-olds.

In June 2025, Cee Cee In Paris provided Fitzpatrick with her first major by securing the New South Wales Foundation Final.

“She has been a wonderful filly and to get another feature win with her is amazing,” Fitzpatrick said. “The Vicbred and Victoria Trotters’ Oaks are options with her, but that’s up to Dad (Blake, trainer).”

Bred and owned by Fitzpatrick’s mother Lisa, Cee Cee In Paris covered the mile in 1:56, with her time identical to Malibuu in the Four and Five-Year-Old Final.

Like her stablemate and half-sister, Malibuu led throughout to account for San Juan Mountain and Donnie Gal.

“She was first-up from a break, but had been trialing well, so I knew she was ready to run a big race,” Fitzpatrick said. “Once she got to the front I became very confident.”

“To win any race, especially at Menangle, is terrific, but a big race is something else.

“I was so thrilled after the first one, then to win a second was unbelievable.”

As for her pending assignment, Fitzpatrick will once again join forces with her father, who has three runners in the opening event.

Fitzpatrick will take the reins behind Valtino from barrier eight, with her Uncle Gavin to partner Bertinelli from the pole.

Blake will handle Alpha Stride, which has drawn five, but slots into five due to a scratching.

Valtino became eligible for the 1609-metre contest due to Fitzpatrick’s concession driver’s claim.

“He’s coming down in class, but he’s also drawn the widest, which makes it hard,” Fitzpatrick said. “It is a pretty even field overall and will come down to which one gets the right run.

“Obviously I’d like to win, but it’ll be even better knowing I beat my Dad and Uncle!”

Fitzpatrick will then be in the cart behind another of Blake’s runners – Princess De Fur – which has drawn to settle in a prominent position from barrier three.

Princess De Fur boasts a win, two placings and a fourth from her last four starts.

“We’ve been very happy with the way she is going and expect another good run from her,” Fitzpatrick said.

Later on the card Fitzpatrick will team up with the Charles Pollicina-trained Sunday Mornings.

A last start winner with Gavin holding the reins, Sunday Mornings is also benefiting from Fitzpatrick’s concession driver’s claim, with the daughter of Julius Caesar to begin from gate three over a mile.