Fabian Hawk ran boldly at the Castlepoint Beach races which were again dominated by Kevin Myers.
Hawk will need the run but don’t poo-poo the form from the Castlepoint Beach races
By Barry Lichter • 16 April 2024
An unorthodox training run at the Castlepoint Beach races has helped fit talented stayer Fabian Hawk for his resumption at Waverley on Thursday.
Fabian Hawk was one of three horses Awapuni trainer Peter Didham took to the iconic event east of Masterton on February 24.
The beach races date back to 1872 when local farmhands would race each other for bottles of rum and stray coins, and has been held annually, with few exceptions, since 1937.
There was a stake of $1000 up for grabs this year in the lady riders’ race and while at 1000 metres it was way short of the middle distances which Fabian Hawk relishes, he managed third placing, under 65kg, behind Kevin Myers’ Duke Of Plumpton and Verry Flash, earning $150.
Picturesque Castlepoint Beach, with the famed Castlepoint Lighthouse and Pacific Ocean in the background.And before you poo-poo the form, Didham is quick to point out he also lined up Gum Basher in the Castlepoint Cup (1600m) who ran fifth to Caley Myers’ I’m Ronaldo, priming him for his first-up race at Wanganui 11 days ago, which he won paying $31.
“It’s good pre-training. Kevin Myers has been doing it for years.”
Didham has trialled Fabian Hawk twice since at Foxton, the latest on April 9 when he led over 1200 metres and was cruising under a hold at the line, a neck behind Wannabe ‘n’ Vegas.
“He’s working really well. I’ve just been waiting for a bit of rain,” Didham said.
“Waverley’s had 56mls of rain in the last week but the track’s still rated good.”
Didham will be wary of racing Fabian Hawk on conditions that good considering he ran last in soft 5 ground in a solitary run last November.
His previous campaign saw him really hit the headlines with three middle distance wins in heavy 10, heavy 8 and soft 7 footing.
Fabian Hawk revels in the mud over a middle distance. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.“I thought he’d handle an OK track. It was better than soft that day at Trentham and he felt a bit short and jarry in his action so we went back to the drawing board.”
Thursday’s outing, however, is more about fitting Fabian Hawk for what is to come.
“He’s reasonably fit but this is really just a run round. He won’t be disgraced but a mile (1650m) is not his go and I‘ll be happy if he runs midfield.
“He’ll have this mile then step up to his favourite distance quite quickly. He likes running over 2000 and 2200 and he keeps rolling.
“He’s still a lightly-framed athletic horse - he’ll never be big and robust - but I’m expecting him to do well this campaign.”