KEY POINTS:
Gavin Fitzpatrick laughs when he talks about one of the most high pressure jobs in harness racing.
The young New South Wales reinsman heads to Alexandra Park tonight to partner Australian pacing hero Lombo Pocket Watch and his stablemate Lombo Mandingo in their preludes of the $200,000 Woodlands Northern Derby.
With Lombo Pocket Watch rated the next Courage Under Fire and Australasian harness racing's most valuable racehorse, Fitzpatrick is in the hotseat.
One of the reasons Lombo Pocket Watch is here is to boost his future stallion career, with victory in next week's Derby and possibly the Harness Jewels later in the season potentially worth $1 million in stud earnings.
Not to mention the small matter of Lombo Pocket Watch being a red-hot favourite every time he steps on to the track.
So you could forgive Fitzpatrick for being a little nervous about tonight, right?
"No, not at all. In fact, he is the easiest horse to drive in the world," he admits. "With most horses you have to think about what your horse can do, what the opposition can do, who has gate speed and what can happen in the race.
"But with him I don't bother. He can win from anywhere and do almost anything you want."
And tonight, from barrier three in the first of the two 2200m preludes, Fitzpatrick says he won't have to think much at all.
"I'd say we will go to the front and once you are there you can't really hand up to anything else, so we will be staying there."
Case closed, and possibly race over. Not that Lombo Pocket Watch is racing pussycats, with Gotta Go Cullen, Montecito, St Barts and Christian Warrior among his six rivals.
But for all their ability it is hard to envisage them running past Lombo Pocket Watch if he is anywhere near his peak.
Which according to Fitzpatrick he is.
The grey colt hasn't raced since thrashing Fergiemack in the Victoria Derby four weeks ago but confirmed his fitness with a win against class older horses at the Penrith trials nine days ago.
"He jogged his last 800m in 57.8, the final 400 in 27.9, which is pretty good around Penrith. While the Derby next week is the aim I'd say he is pretty close to 100 per cent."
Lombo Pocket Watch took a day to settle into trainer Barry Purdon's property after arriving in the middle on the night on Tuesday but has picked up since. "He will be fine by race time and he is ready to go."
And Fitzpatrick is equally laid back about the right-handed Alexandra Park track which can trip up newcomers.
"I have driven there before and I don't think it will worry a horse like him because he is so clean gaited."
While Lombo Pocket Watch will be too short for most punters, Fitzpatrick warns them not to disregard Lombo Mandingo in the second prelude.
He will be at far longer money on the tote as he clashes with Fergiemack, Changeover, Days Of Courage and Ebony Gem - but he can still win.
"He has really good gate speed and if he gets to the front then I'd have to think about staying there. He travelled really well and we are happy with his work so I think he will go close."
Lombo Mandingo will have a fitness edge over Fergiemack and Changeover and over the 2200m will test the Kiwis, with Fergiemack looking the main danger.
Changeover may be the best staying 3-year-old in the country but like most Geoff Small-trained horses he can be expected to be significantly fitter for the Derby in a week.
