Talented grey Fawkner has returned to racing in the best way possible at Flemington Racecourse this afternoon; completing an impressive all-round performance to take out the featured Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
Jumping from the gates well, champion hoop Damien Oliver led the Reset gelding forward and settled in prime position on the heels of early leaders Volkstok’N’Barrell, Hi World and Entirely Platinum.
Fawkner wins the 2015 Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Receiving an absolute dream run in transit, Fawkner rounded onto the final straight and was immediately offered a clear racing line; immediately responding when asked for an extra effort by Oliver and pulling clear to maintain a strong sprint to the line, holding off an impressive Rising Romance and Entirely Platinum.
Oliver posted his 106th Group 1 win partnering Fawkner to success in the 2015 Makybe Diva Stakes and was pleased to deliver Macedon Lodge this afternoon’s feature race.
“Gee he’s a ripper, this horse,” Oliver said after crossing the line.
“He’s an eight-year-old but he’s had the best life at the Williams stable there, they’ve really looked after and he keeps repaying them.
“They went really steady in the mid-stages and I was biding my time, but I had a look over my shoulder and saw the pack coming so I thought we’d spent enough in the run, we’ve got to get out now.
“Probably arrived a little earlier than I wanted to but he’d had such a sweet run he was always going to have a good kick.
“I’ve got to thank Nick Williams – he’s been really boisterous about me riding this horse this time, so thanks Nick and I’m glad I could repay it for you.”
Nick Williams was thrilled with Fawkner’s win in the 2015 Makybe Diva Stakes and heaped all the praise on the class of the horse and the skill displayed by Oliver during the run.
“I think he’s going quite well, that horse,” Williams said.
“It’s so exciting to see him win this race. This horse goes so well at Flemington.
“The young bloke that rode him today, I think it’s as good a ride as I’ve ever seen – what he did in the first 150m of that race just showed why he’s been the dominant jockey in this country for the last couple of decades.
“Any time you win a big race at Flemington it’s one of the best things you can ever do.”
Fawkner has been set for an appearance in the 2015 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 24th, and will likely contest the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) as his next point of call; a race he won in 2014.
