Long Knife delivers Fitzpatrick Plate upset

Smart sprinter Long Knife has given trainer Des Attwell the biggest thrill of his career after causing an upset in the $100,000 Tabtouch Fitzpatrick Plate (1230m) at Percy Spencer Racecourse this afternoon.

Jumping a $21 chance in the big field of 15 runners, Long Knife was beautifully placed just off the leader Secret Minx by talented apprentice Brodie Kirby before giving a strong kick at the top of the home straight.

The eight-year-old gobbled up Secret Minx and found plenty late to score a terrific win, downing Big Caroline by half a length.

Viking Forrest was ¾ length away in third spot while $4.60 race favourite Run Liam Run finished midfield.

It was the biggest win for both Attwell and Kirby and also Long Knife, who has a sensational Albany record.

The Attwell-Kirby combination capped a breakthrough day by claiming the final race on the card with rising mare Queen Tori to both score winning doubles.

On a day for the battlers, the other feature race the $35,000 Pelicans Albany Golden Bracelet was taken out by Prix D’Excellence for Albany trainer Liam O’Loughlin.

Prix D’Excellence ($11) was sent to the front by jockey Lucas Camilleri and the pair skipped clear on the home corner as they stormed home to win by 1 ½ over Amaliemoo.

Mu Mu Land earlier saluted at big odds of $31 for the Sam and Natasha Faithfull combination and Albany trainer Roy Rogers won the opening two races, on a day that belonged to the locals.