The 2013 Caulfield Cup was won by Fawkner for prominent owner Lloyd Williams for the first time.
Fawkner gives Lloyd Williams his first Caulfield Cup victory. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
Fawkner finished too strongly for international visitor Dandino who came from well back in the field to finish second with Sydney mare Dear Demi running on for third.
The 2013 Caulfield Cup was won by Fawkner for prominent owner Lloyd Williams for the first time.
Fawkner finished too strongly for international visitor Dandino who came from well back in the field to finish second with Sydney mare Dear Demi running on for third.
For the Williams team, Lloyd, his son Nick, trainer Robert Hickmott and jockey Nick Hall today’s win by Fawkner was something special as they all collected their first win in the Group 1 $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Williams had up to seven horses vying for a start in the Caulfield Cup but only elected to run Fawkner who was able to live up to the stable’s expectations.
Fawkner had shown consistent form leading up to today’s race and after running fifth to Streama in the Group 1 $350,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 21, put in a top performance to finish third to Happy Trails in the Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 5.
The grey six year old was having his first start at the 2400m of the Caulfield Cup but Nick Williams was always confident that he would run it out strongly.
“We are pretty big on setting horses for their grand finals and this was this horse’s grand final and he’s done a great job,” Nick Williams said.
“I think this is the hardest race to win in Australia. It’s a lot harder to get a horse to the Melbourne Cup but just by nature of the way this race is run. It‘s a very hard race to win.”
“We have had a lot of runners in it over the years and it’s just great that we’ve been able to win it. I’m sure all the Australian breeders will be happy because we’ve manage to do it with an Australian horse. He is now the best son of our horse Reset.”
Nick Hall rode an inspiring race on Fawkner ($11) and after getting a nice run just worst than midfield was able to manoeuvre into a handy position on the home turn before weaving in between runners to burst through to score by one and a quarter lengths from Dandino ($11) with Dear Demi ($26) a nose away in third spot.
Tuscan Fire led the field out of the straight the first time before Julienas and Mr O’Ceirin shared the lead along the back of the course.
As Hall was trying to get to the outside at the 800m, Damien Oliver took off on Jet Away to lead the field for the run home.
Hall timed his run well and claimed the lead at the one hundred and fifty metre mark and was able to hold off the flashing finish of Dandino who had to make a late dash from well back in the field.
The Chris Waller trained Hawkspur started the $4.20 favourite and even though he made up some ground in the straight was never a treat and wound up in seventh position.
