News
12 November, 2025
Eriza Sparkles joins Cumbria Jack in The Phoenix
GROUP 1 winning trainer Steve Fitch will have a two pronged attack on the $1.65 million The Phoenix (525m) at The Meadows on December 13.
RAM Racing has secured the Fitch bred, owned and trained Eriza Sparkles for their slot in the $1 million-to-the-winner The Phoenix. Fitch had already signed up Cumbria Jack (Fernando Bale-Cumbria Ninno) with Metro Jetting for his spot in The Phoenix. It is a remarkable performance for the Fitch kennel to have two runners in the lucrative feature. Fitch breeds only two litters a year and has only nine dogs in training at his Nowra Hill kennels.
Eriza Sparkles (Tommy Shelby-Gramercy Park) was a gallant second to Slick Splits last Saturday night in the Group 1 Topgun at The Meadows.It was a performance that followed her second to Power And Glory in the Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park on October 17.
“It was an enormous run in the Topgun,” said Fitch.
“The heavy track was not really suiting her and it was only her second look at The Meadows.”
Eriza Sparkles has been left in Victoria with local trainer Harley Whelan.
“She is trialling between races at Sandown on Friday night,” Fitch added,
“She will head towards the Melbourne Cup and then The Phoenix.
“I do think Sandown will suit her best. It will be her track.
“Harley says she has settled in perfectly in his kennels and is bouncing around. But, that’s what she did when I sent her to Tony Brett earlier in the year.”
Of Cumbria Jack, he is in work and in a little more than a week or so he will be sent to Josh Formosa in Victoria. Josh and kennel client Ben Peart, who raced Million Dollar Chase winner Blue Kermaro, are behind the Metro Jetting slot.
“I want him to have a couple of looks at The Meadows,” Fitch said.
“We are undecided about him having a start before The Phoenix.”
Fitch reports he has been approached about using the dog at stud, from both potential studmasters and also broodbitch owners wanting to use him.
“I’ve sent the DNA away to get done, but at the moment there is so much good racing coming up for him,” he added.
“There is the Queensland carnival in January, then the Golden Easter Egg, and again the Brisbane Winter Carnival.”
Fitch reports he has a seven-month old repeat mating of Fernando Bale-Cumbria Ninno, full relations to Cumbria Jack and his G1 class litter brother Cumbria Benny.
“We got one dog and five bitches,” he said.
“I’ve already got a name for the one dog,” he said.
“It will be No Pressure.”
Which certainly sums up what the expectations will be on that lone dog pup from the repeat mating.