By Isaac Murphy
Go Lassie Go and Fab Fit gave Darren Russell the best night of his training career when they won the Ipswich Sprint Final and Ipswich Cup respectively in November last year.
That night Go Lassie Go jumped from box three and Fab Fit from box seven and the duo has the trainer dreaming of more glory as they both line up in the same rugs for the rescheduled Queensland Short Course FFA Final at Albion Park tonight.
Russell said he wasn’t superstitious but was confident both of his experienced campaigners would put themselves in the race this week.
“They’ve both done a lot of racing over the short course and from day dot box speed is something that has come to them naturally,” Russell said.
“Over the 331 metres there’s not much margin for error but both of them are seasoned dogs with plenty of runs under their belt and they rarely miss it, they’re both good chances.”
Go Lassie Go rolls out as the short-priced favourite for the event as the fastest qualifier but Russell believes Fab Fit is closer to her than the market indicates.
“I think Fab Fit will improve this week, she’ll derive a lot of benefit from having a week off between runs,” he said.
“The six Jet Black Star has got a bit of early speed as well and wants the fence, so she’ll be right there with Go Lassie if it gives Fab Fit some space early.”
Though both dogs are accomplished over the shorter trips Go Lassie Go boasts a more attractive record over the shorter courses, running just one tenth outside the track record at Ipswich in the Sprint Final.
“Go Lassie has the runs on the board and would be my pick of the two,” Russell said.
“Her biggest challenge is getting out in front of Ima Necromancer in the four, it likes to carry on a bit in the boxes and that can unsettle her.”
Confident in both his chances Russell said he would be rapt to get his hands on the trophy which has been off the scene for over twenty years.
“If all goes to plan they can quinella the race, but I’d love if either of them could win,” he said.
“It’s a race with some history behind it and it would be nice to be the first with the name on the trophy since its re-induction.”