Last year’s Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner has cemented his spot at the head of the Cox Plate markets with a resounding win in the Group 1 $400,000 Cathay Pacific Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield today.

Fawkner (inside) holds off Criterion in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia

Aided by a first class ride from Nick Hall, Fawkner ($5.50) was able to show his liking for Caulfield when he held off the finishing effort of the David Payne trained Criterion ($16) with the early leader English galloper Side Glance ($26) holding to run third.

Fawkner rose to prominence during last year’s Spring Carnival by winning the Group 1 $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield and part owner Nick Williams said that the seven year old is on track for the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in two weeks time.

“It was a wonderful ride,” Williams said.

“Nick knew what he was doing and did a remarkable job.”

Williams admits that Fawkner is going better than he was last year and is looking forward to the Cox Plate and also a possible start in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4.

“The horse is flying,” Williams said.

“Hoping he can win that elusive Cox Plate in a fortnight’s time.”

“He has taken the next step from being a handicapper to up to being a genuine weight for age horse and it is really exciting to have one of them in your stable.”

The Peter Moody trained Dissident bled during the race and is automatically sidelined for three months, ending his Spring and Cox Plate campaign.

Dissident ($4 faviouirte) had a nice trail behind Side Glance but after challenging the leaders in the straight, faded to miss a place.