Caulfield Cup doubles as Fawkner's coming-of-age party

LLOYD Williams's single-minded pursuit of the Melbourne Cup usually means that the Caulfield Cup is an ­after-thought - but not this year.

Nick Hall and Fawkner will represent owner Lloyd Williams in the Caulfield Cup. Picture: Colleen Petch.

LLOYD Williams's single-minded pursuit of the Melbourne Cup usually means that the Caulfield Cup is an ­after-thought.

The high profile owner has never won a Caulfield Cup, often bypassing the race with his best stayers to concentrate on the Flemington "two-miler''.

The closest Williams has come to winning the feature Caulfield staying race was with Nayrizi, narrowly beaten by Congressman in 1989.

But Williams has a real opportunity to add the Caulfield Cup trophy to his four Melbourne Cup wins when Fawkner is saddled up the big race.

At the start of the week, Williams had seven stayers still in the race but did not pay up for Green Moon, Sea Moon, Seville, Masked Marvel, Mourayan and Tanby.

Instead, he will rely solely on Fawnker, the horse that has been set specifically for the Caulfield Cup.

Jockey Nick Hall is riding Fawkner, who goes into today's big race after a very good third to Happy Trails in the Turnbull Stakes.

Fawkner has never been tested over 2400m but Hall believes the six-year-old will run the trip right out.

"He's a different horse from last preparation - I think it's a coming-of-age thing," Hall said.

Hall said he suggested to Williams Fawkner be tried over longer than 1600m this spring.

"So we had a go at the Turnbull and here we are," Hall said. "We are confident with the right run he can see out the 2400m.

"This horse is an absolute gem of a ride.

"He can go forward, he can go back, he's completely push-button and versatile.''