SIBLING rivalry has become a common affair at the Bathurst Paceway, with a number of drivers and trainers competing against their brothers and sisters on a weekly basis.
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However, on Wednesday a different sibling rivalry will play out with pacers Fouroeight and Izzy Watt set to compete against each other for the first time since January this year.
They will do battle in the For A Reason Pace (1,730 metres).
Last time the sons of Platinum Sign met was at Bathurst's first meeting of the year on January 2, with Fouroeight leading home Izzy Watt in the quinella.
Their Bathurst trainer Gemma Rue is hoping to replicate that result in the first Bathurst meeting of the new season, looking to use the small field of six to their advantage.
"The small field won't be an issue," she said.
"Fouroeight has good gate speed, so we will probably use that to our advantage."
Last time the brothers met, Fouroeight began from barrier four with Izzy Watt drawing five. From there the pair were taken off the arm and both driven with cover, coming with their runs late.
This week their draws are reversed with Izzy Watt set to go from four and Fouroeight drawing five, which gives Rue further hope they can repeat the result from January.
Having developed into a one-dimensional pacer, Izzy Watt will need a bit of luck with the race run to suit him.
However, while a $45.80 chance last time the pair met, he was still able to take home the silver.
Fouroeight, who started the $1.50 favourite in that prior battle of the stablemates, is set to be short again coming into Wednesday night after a nice win over 2,100m at Young Paceway last Friday.
"We were very happy with his run at Young," Rue said.
"He is the sort of horse who is able to create his own luck. His last half on Friday [56.6 seconds] was quite fast for that track and has given us good confidence leading into Bathurst."
In reaching his 15th career win on Friday, Fouroeight was untouched by driver Mat Rue.
He scored by 16 metres in a 1:57:2 mile rate, only 0.4 seconds outside the track record for that distance.
A win this Wednesday for Fouroeight will result in him equalling his older, more experience brother's tally.
Nine-year-old Izzy Watt will be lining up for his 100th start.
With Mat Rue again taking the reins on Fouroeight, concession driver Tom Pay has secured the steer behind Izzy Watt.
The battle of the brothers will take place in race six on Wednesday night, scheduled for 7.42pm.
The meeting starts at 5.12pm.
