Exciting Bennett Racing UK import Fawkner Park made it 2 wins from as many starts in Australia after strolling to a 2.65L victory at Doomben on Wednesday. The 4yo gelding was shipped up to Queensland the day before after Annabel had accepted to run him in 3 states Victoria, NSW and Queensland on the same day. Electing to take him up north proved to be the wise move as he relished the 2040m journey.
Fawkner Park started a short price favourite at $1.55 and won as he liked. Ryan Maloney settled the gelding midfield and got him to settle beautifully underneath him. Always travelling well and having a lap full of horse, Ryan released the reins in the straight and he just careered away winning in a canter.
Hugely impressive performance by a young stayer on the way up and now a winner of 3 of his only 5 starts!
The time and margin are not reflective of the absolute dominance of the field as Maloney shut him down the last 100m. The top speed of 67.3km/h and fastest section of 11.01s from 400-200m illustrates the good turn of foot possessed by this developing import. Fawkner Park also ran his last 600m in 34.33s which was faster than all races run over 1200m+ besides the BM70 over 1350m which the winner Starzam running his last 600m in 34.31s. Fawkner Parks race was the only race beyond 1650m.
When Maloney said go, his stride frequency didn’t increase but his stride length did which means he just accelerated by lengthening his stride instead of trying to run quicker by adding strides. This is a sign of a very promising stayer, the ability to quicken when needed by lengthening stride.
Annabel and her Team place horses very well and will continue to plot a path with him as he builds his profile and ratings points along with increasing his confidence. The stats say he is a horse going places and visually to the eye, he looks very exciting. Looking forward to seeing his continued progression – a very exciting horse for all his owners.
As mentioned previously Fawkner Park (IRE) was purchased out of the Tattersalls Horses In Training sale last year. He 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).
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 both of his starts here in Australia is no mean feat.
Thankyou to Annabel Neasham and her Team for the tremendous job they have done.
