Swan Hill Double
Thursday, 23 Apr 2026
Fitzsimmons Racing celebrated a rewarding day at Swan Hill on Tuesday, with Yuuki and Kilmer both shedding their maiden tags to give the stable a well-earned double.
The pair showcased contrasting styles of victory, but both wins highlighted the ability within the stable’s emerging team — and the value of patience and development.
Yuuki was first to strike, producing a blistering performance to break through in the 975-metre maiden. While still learning her craft, the three-year-old filly showed a sharp turn of foot when it mattered most, powering to the line in impressive fashion.
Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons said the win was as much about education as it was the result.
“She got a little bit lost chasing, but once she got there she did it easy enough,” Tim said.
“I think once the penny drops for her she’s going to be a really nice type of horse.”
Despite not doing everything perfectly, the performance suggested there is significant upside.
“It was a great learning experience for her today and if she had have gone straight it wouldn’t have been such a hard watch,” he added.
“She’s a horse that loves the sting out of the track, so to see her do it on a Good track today was really pleasing. I think she’ll come right on after that.”
Jockey Harry Coffey was equally encouraged by the way the filly finished off her race.
“I think she wants 1200 metres now,” Coffey said.
“Once I got cover she relaxed, and then I was asking her to go when the leader was putting us to the sword from the top of the straight.”
“We wanted her to be strong late, which she hasn’t been to date, and she definitely was today. She’ll be better suited getting out in trip.”
In the next race, Kilmer delivered a well-deserved maiden win in the 1200me event, with Coffey producing a perfectly judged, patient ride along the rails.
Settling back in the field, Kilmer was never exposed early, with Coffey hugging the fence and taking runs as they presented — a tactic that proved decisive.
Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons said the focus was on improving the gelding’s manners out of the barriers.
“The main objective today was to get him out of the gates,” Tim said.
“While he still wandered a little bit, it ended up working out well. He’s such a thinker, so it was probably the best way to ride him — be patient and not leave him exposed.”
Once asked for an effort, Kilmer responded sharply.
“When Harry gave him one around the backside he really quickened nicely,” Tim said.
“No one knows this track better than Harry and it was a brilliant ride. It’s great to get a couple of winners with him today.”
Coffey, who knows Swan Hill better than most, executed the plan to perfection.
“I wasn’t too worried after he jumped, as he usually jumps worse than that,” Coffey said.
“When I was following a good horse, I was happy with how it panned out.”
“He’s not the sort of horse you want to expose the whole way, so being tucked away on the fence and taking neat runs really suited him. He’s got good ability — he just doesn’t quite know how to show it yet. He’s a real thinker.”
With both horses now off the mark, the stable can look forward to their continued progression, with Yuuki showing exciting upside and Kilmer proving that patience is beginning to pay off.
The pair showcased contrasting styles of victory, but both wins highlighted the ability within the stable’s emerging team — and the value of patience and development.
Yuuki was first to strike, producing a blistering performance to break through in the 975-metre maiden. While still learning her craft, the three-year-old filly showed a sharp turn of foot when it mattered most, powering to the line in impressive fashion.
Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons said the win was as much about education as it was the result.
“She got a little bit lost chasing, but once she got there she did it easy enough,” Tim said.
“I think once the penny drops for her she’s going to be a really nice type of horse.”
Despite not doing everything perfectly, the performance suggested there is significant upside.
“It was a great learning experience for her today and if she had have gone straight it wouldn’t have been such a hard watch,” he added.
“She’s a horse that loves the sting out of the track, so to see her do it on a Good track today was really pleasing. I think she’ll come right on after that.”
Jockey Harry Coffey was equally encouraged by the way the filly finished off her race.
“I think she wants 1200 metres now,” Coffey said.
“Once I got cover she relaxed, and then I was asking her to go when the leader was putting us to the sword from the top of the straight.”
“We wanted her to be strong late, which she hasn’t been to date, and she definitely was today. She’ll be better suited getting out in trip.”
In the next race, Kilmer delivered a well-deserved maiden win in the 1200me event, with Coffey producing a perfectly judged, patient ride along the rails.
Settling back in the field, Kilmer was never exposed early, with Coffey hugging the fence and taking runs as they presented — a tactic that proved decisive.
Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons said the focus was on improving the gelding’s manners out of the barriers.
“The main objective today was to get him out of the gates,” Tim said.
“While he still wandered a little bit, it ended up working out well. He’s such a thinker, so it was probably the best way to ride him — be patient and not leave him exposed.”
Once asked for an effort, Kilmer responded sharply.
“When Harry gave him one around the backside he really quickened nicely,” Tim said.
“No one knows this track better than Harry and it was a brilliant ride. It’s great to get a couple of winners with him today.”
Coffey, who knows Swan Hill better than most, executed the plan to perfection.
“I wasn’t too worried after he jumped, as he usually jumps worse than that,” Coffey said.
“When I was following a good horse, I was happy with how it panned out.”
“He’s not the sort of horse you want to expose the whole way, so being tucked away on the fence and taking neat runs really suited him. He’s got good ability — he just doesn’t quite know how to show it yet. He’s a real thinker.”
With both horses now off the mark, the stable can look forward to their continued progression, with Yuuki showing exciting upside and Kilmer proving that patience is beginning to pay off.
