‘Sprinter’ Rowie eyes Fitzpatrick Plate

Rejuvenated galloper Rowie emerged as a contender for the $75,000 Fitzpatrick Plate (1230m) in Albany on Easter Sunday after storming home to win the Avis Albany C Handicap (1230m) last Thursday.

Local trainer Stephen Sheehy acquired the seven-year-old last year after stints with Craig and John Gangemi since coming from the east coast in 2014.

His most recent preparation was in the North West of WA and included starts in the Kimberley Cup (2020m) and the Broome Cup (2200m), but Sheehy has reverted the veteran to sprint races in Albany.

Ridden by talented apprentice Mollie Clark, Rowie settled in the back half of the 10-horse field and was eighth on the home corner before charging down the outside under the heavy impost of 59kg to hold out Miss Kitwe by a neck.

It was the Flying Spur gelding’s first win over 1230m, but Sheehy indicated the switch back to shorter races would be permanent.

“He had a bad north run and the horse had gone off,” Sheehy said.

“I’ve just got him happy, we’ve freshened him up and they had been trying him over ground, but I reckon he’s a sprinter.

“I think we’ll have a lot of fun with him. There are some nice sprint races coming up like the Fitzpatrick Plate.”

Albany trainer Roy Rogers scored his 11th winner of the Great Southern season after three-year-old Recapitulate won the Skinners Horse Transport Maiden (1100m) courtesy of a sensational ride by jockey Ben Kennedy.

French rider Matthieu Autier and Lark Hill trainer Darren McAuliffe notched a winning double, bookending the program with Joyous Affair and By Decree.