What an incredible performance!
Bennett Racing unveiled a new import in Fawkner Park (IRE) on Saturday at Kembla Grange and all that can be said was WOW. Trained by Annabel Neasham Fawkner Park carried top weight of 61.5kgs (less 2kg claim), drew wide and after a slow jump away, apprentice Jett Stanley took him to the back of the field allowing him to find his feet. The race tempo was quick and Jett didn’t panic when the import was near 10 lengths off the lead at the 600m. At the 400m turning for home, Jett took him to the extreme outside on straightening and appeared to have very little hope. Fawkner Park (IRE) wasn’t even in the picture down the straight but he was winding up. Suddenly out of nowhere and on the outside rail Fawkner Park emerged swept past them winning running away with a paralysing burst.
The last 600m was run in 35.24s and it would have been great to know what Fawkner Park ran the last 300m in! The overall time of 1m30.65s was very good for Bm64 and the time was just 2.37s outside the track record. To do what he did carrying 59.5kgs and running widest throughout was truly astonishing.
What an incredible performance at his Australian debut by the lightly raced gelding showing all the promise of what may come in time as he further develops. A terrific training performance as well by Annabel Neasham and her Team who really know what they are doing with these imported horses. Not all imports acclimatize straight away and patience is a real virtue when dealing with them.
Fawkner Park along with two other Bennett Racing imports arrived out here late last year. They all spelled well at Ironstone Farm before heading off for NSW to join Annabel’s Stable.
Fawkner Park (IRE) and the aforementioned others were all purchased out of the Tattersalls Horses In Training sale last year. Fawkner Park (IRE) was identified by Bennett Racing’s International Agent Stuart Boman, who was responsible for Sibaaq (GB) being purchased, as a likely type for Australia. A lot of ground work goes into the Horses In Training Sale, so we are very fortunate to have Stuart working for Bennett Racing doing all of the ground work and supplying a list that he feels may be suitable.
A very lightly raced gelding in Ireland, Fawkner Park was 2nd on his debut at Killarney over a mile 1/10/22. Next out he was unplaced at Leopardstown over 1800m before winning on the synthetic at Dunlalk over 1900m on the 21/10. The horse was entered for the Tattersall’s Sale by Australian owner Lloyd Williams and trainer Joseph O’Brien.
Fawkner Park is by International staying influence Zoffany (IRE) and is a ½ brother to Gr2 Herbert Power winner Saracen Knight (IRE) both sons of the Ravens Pass mare Za’Hara herself a ½ sister to the top class Gr1 winning stayer Debussy.
Congratulations to all owners in Fawkner Park (IRE) many who are having a thrilling introduction to racing their first imported galloper. To get one with so much potential and one who is able to win first time out here in Australia is no mean feat.
Thankyou to Annabel Neasham and her Team for the tremendous job they have done.
