Although trainer Paul Fitzpatrick had three runners in last Saturday’s $60,000 Mitavite Newcastle Mile, it was Saucy Legend which stole the show with a narrow win over stable mate Lonestar Legend.
Coming head to head in the final 100 meters of the race, Saucy Legend and Lonestar Legend were five lengths clear of the field however barrier one-drawer Saucy Legend pulled out halfway down to the post to win by a neck victory in 1 minute 53.8 seconds.
Lonestar Legend finished the first quarter in a quick 27.6 seconds followed by a slightly more relaxed 30.2 second quarter and a 28.4 third quarter.
The Newcastle Mile victory has given Saucy Legend his seventh consecutive win and it was also the race’s third fastest finishing time in its 20 year history.
Saucy Legend was ridden by Fitzpatrick’s youngest son Cameron while older brother Black rode Lonestar Legend to second place.
Third son Gavin rode Lombo Pocket Watch to finish in seventh place however local horse Best Of Times finished a good third and was beaten by just over eight metres.
As the winner of the Newcastle Mile, Saucy Legend and his connections have now been invited to the Miracle Mile however Fitzpatrick and the horse’s owner are not so keen on the idea.
While the horse has had a great racing season, he is not yet ready to take on the likes of Blacks A Fake and Melpark Major.
Instead, Saucy Legend will be aimed at the Bohemia Crystal Free For All during the Miracle Mile program and next year’s goal will be the Inter Dominion.