Prominent horseman registers personal milestone

PROMINENT horseman Blake Fitzpatrick registered a personal milestone at Club Menangle yesterday.

Preparing Oria for an overdue victory, Fitzpatrick completed his 1000th training win.

Thrilled with his moment in the spotlight, Fitzpatrick admitted the countdown had been on his mind recently.

"I was on 999 for a bit," Fitzpatrick said. "I knew the occasion with coming up, but it felt like I was stuck in the 'nervous 90s' for a while.

"To finally get there and have my daughter Zara in the cart makes it all-the-more special.

"Now I'll have to focus on the next 1000!"

Working to the lead from barrier five, Oria was never seriously challenged on her way to a 15-and-a-half metre win from Ewing.

Rioterra was two metres away third as the winner rated 2:00.8 over 2300 metres.

"She is a consistent filly which has been ready to win," Fitzpatrick said. "She's maturing as she goes along and should be able to keep working her way through the grades."