Fawkner Park gets a look at Caulfield racecourse
Caulfield Cup favourite Fawkner Park has been given his first look at the track where the Group 1 race is set to be held.
The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained galloper had his first look at Caulfield on Tuesday as part of his build up to the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 19.
Fawkner Park heads the market at $11 with betting apps ahead of Derby winning recently turned four-year-olds Riff Rocket and Warmonger, both at $13 with bookies.
Neasham, who was at Caulfield on Tuesday to watch Fawkner Park go through his paces, said the gelding arrived in Melbourne late last week and will get plenty of opportunities of galloping at Caulfield in preparation for one of Australia’s toughest handicap contests.
Fawkner Park has raced only once left-handed since making his Australian debut in May last year, finishing fourth in the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington in March.
Following that outing, Fawkner Park went on a winning spree, claiming the Albury Cup, the Wagga Cup before running third in the Group 1 Doomben Cup.
Fawkner Park leapt to the top of markets for the Caulfield Cup after claiming the ‘win-and-you’re-in’ Group 2 Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm in June.
The Q22 was won last year by Without A Fight who went on to claim the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double.
Neasham said the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 21 was likely to be Fawkner Park’s Spring starting point.
“He’s just got to get used to going left-handed and we thought it was a good opportunity to bring him here and have a look around,” Neasham said.
“He’s only had one trial, so he’s got another trial to go before we see him at the races and the more I give him a look around here, the better.
“He might come back for a jump-out next week. The jump-outs are only over 800 metres, which is a bit annoying, so we’ll have to run through right through the line.
“He won’t be wound-up first-up, it’s all about the Caulfield Cup for him to be peaking and the Underwood will be a nice starting point for him.”
More Racing News
Concord Connie eyes Victorian Group 1 success
Charlotte Littlefield, the Pakenham-based trainer, is opting against chasing substantial prize money in interstate races with Concord Connie, focusing instead on securing a Group 1 win within Victoria.The exciting mare, Concord Connie, has undergone four weeks of preparation and is being readied for her return, with the Group 1 Empire...
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...
General Salute set for Winter Challenge under favourable wet conditions
The arrival of overnight rain has alleviated Sterling Alexiou's primary concern regarding General Salute's prospects in the final black-type race of the Sydney season, following his recent victory in the Winter Stakes.All four of the gelding's previous wins have been recorded on rain-affected tracks. Earlier in the week, with Rosehill...
Burning Heartz set for Adelaide Stakes test
Trainer Gavin Bedggood envisions a future for Burning Heartz in an Oaks race, but his immediate goal is to secure some valuable Stakes black type for the filly.Burning Heartz, a winner on debut at Sandown on July 1, is now heading to Adelaide to contest the Group 3 South Australian...