Trainer Annabel Neasham keeps door open to Makybe Diva start for Caulfield Cup favourite Fawkner Park

The Underwood Stakes and Turnbull Stakes have been pencilled in as Fawkner Park’s most likely path into the Caulfield Cup, but a jumpout next week could further shape the route.

The Annabel Neasham-trained Fawkner Park surges clear to win the Q22 at Eagle Farm in June. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

Group 1 trainer Annabel Neasham has left the door ajar for Caulfield Cup favourite Fawkner Park to resume in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington next month.

Neasham has the Underwood Stakes and Turnbull Stakes pencilled in as the most likely path into the Caulfield Cup on October 19 but how Fawkner Park handles Caulfield in a jumpout next week could shape the route.

Fawkner Park settled into Sydney-based Neasham’s Pakenham yard over the weekend.

The six-year-old has only raced once in Melbourne, a fourth in the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington last March after which he pulled up with a minor issue that required chiropractor attention.

He trained on to win the Albury and Wagga Cups before going to Brisbane.

Fawkner Park wins the Q22 in style!@BrisRacingClub@[e-mail]/nlqAfU4Cr2

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024

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“He’ll probably have a gallop (at Pakenham this week) maybe, just get him used to going that (anti-clockwise Melbourne) way,” Neasham said.

“He’ll probably have a jumpout at Caulfield (September 4) … the door would be half ajar for the Makybe Diva, time-wise we could probably go there.

“Depends on how he jumps out, then Turnbull and then Caulfield Cup.”

Fawkner Park emerged as a spring contender with a slashing two-start Brisbane mission in which he placed third in the Group 1 Doomben Cup and won the Group 2 Q22.

Reigning Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, won the Q22 last year.

Neasham’s retired stable flagship Zaaki campaigned successfully in the Sunshine State in 2021-23 as a platform for Melbourne spring riches.

Storm Boy (Adam Hyeronimus) leads all the way to win a Kensington trial on Monday, running 51.00. The @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott colt beat Caballus with Cafe Millenium in third. Bubble Rock and Fawkner Park were behind the placings. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/w9JkhtIORc

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 18, 2024

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“Fawkner Park has come back in really good order, he only had three weeks off, there’s a bit of residual fitness there,” Neasham said.

“He’s going to have to step it up another level to win a Caulfield Cup but he seems to profile right for that race.

“He’s probably got the best turn of foot of any stayer I’ve ever had and that obviously wins you races here.

“The win in the Q22 was very impressive, if he brings that sort of run in a race like the Caulfield Cup he’s going to be right in it, it will be interesting when the weights come out.”

Fawkner Park’s co-trainer Annabel Neasham. Picture: Richard Dobson

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The Melbourne Cup could be an option, should Fawkner Park run well as expected in the Caulfield Cup, while Neasham also has a Cox Plate nomination for the galloper.

“He’s still so lightly raced we probably couldn’t pigeon hole him, the Caulfield Cup will give us a decision whether we go to the Melbourne Cup,” Neasham said.

“At the moment we’re treating the Caulfield Cup as our grand final.”

Rising star Sydney jockey Tyler Schiller is set to retain the association with Fawkner Park.

“I’d suspect he’ll be offered to ride him,” Neasham said.

“Obviously it clashes with The Everest as well, but I would imagine he’d be pretty keen to win a Caulfield Cup, he’s quite keen to come down here.”

Originally published as Trainer Annabel Neasham keeps door open to Makybe Diva start for Caulfield Cup favourite Fawkner Park