Fawkner Park from Last to First in Wagga Wagga Gold Cup

Mark Smith - Friday May 3

An ice-cold ride by Tyler Schiller saw the favourite Fawkner Park (IRE) come from last to land Friday's $200,000 Listed Lucas Road Sealing 2024 Wagga Wagga Gold Cup (2000m).

In similar fashion to his last start win in the Listed Albury Cup, the Annabel Neasham-trained son of Zoffany (IRE) came with a barnstorming finish to defeat the brave So You Think gelding Political Debate by three-quarters of a length with the Dansili gelding Taramansour back in third.

The Bennett Racing colour-bearer advances his record to seven wins, a second and third from 15 starts with earnings of $501,702.

Fawkner Park (IRE) (image Racing Photos)

Brought up in Young, Tyler Schiller said winning before his family and friends was a thrill.

"I have won the Albury Cup twice, but to win the big one closer to home is unreal," Schiller said.

"Mom was here today with my girlfriend and a couple of friends, so it's great to get the cup.

"Annabel wanted me to be a touch closer than I was, but he does not have a lot of speed nowadays, and I don't think it hinders him. He loves getting back and using his finish.

Advertisement

"I was a bit worried coming around the bend; we were a bit far off them, so I put him in the race at the 600m. He is so brave. He was all out at the 100m but found a half-head to get past Tommy, which felt good."

Fawkner Park a 120,000gns purchase at 2022 Autumn Horses In Training Sale,

A €46,000 Goffs Orby purchase for Joseph O'Brien, Fawkner Park (IRL) made three starts in Ireland, the last of which was a six-and-a-half length win over the Galileo x Atlantic Jewel colt Fleet Commander in a 10-furlong maiden win at Dundalk.

Consigned to the 2022 Autumn Horses In Training Sale, Fawkner Park (IRL) was knocked down to Blandford Bloodstock / Bennett / Annabel Neasham Racing had the final say at 120,000gns.

Fawkner Park (IRL) is a half-brother to Saracen Knight (IRE) (Camelot), who enjoyed success in Australia in the Group II Herbert Power Stakes and Listed RM Ansett Classic.

His dam Za'Hara (Raven's Pass) is a half-sister to Gr1 Arlington Million Stakes winner Debussy (Diesis), Group III Princess Elizabeth Stakes winner Laugh Aloud (Dubawi), and the stakes-placegetters Celtic Prince (Shamardal), Cantilena (Dubawi), and Entertainment (Halling).

Advertisment

Race Result - Lucas Road Sealing 2024 Wagga Wagga Gold Cup LR 2000m

Wagga Track: Good(4) Time: 2:00.51
1
Fawkner Park
- 5g Zoffany (IRE) x Za'hara (IRE) (Raven's Pass (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Tyler Schiller 55.5
2
0.9
Political Debate
- 4g So You Think (NZ) x Nakataan (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 55
So You Think
3
1.2
Taramansour
- 7g Dansili (GB) x Tanoura (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: B Mc Dougall 54
4
1.3
Spirit Ridge
- 9g Nathaniel (IRE) x Tates Creek (USA) (Rahy (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Regan Bayliss 58.5
5
1.7
Knights Order
- 9g So You Think (NZ) x Lamanka Lass (USA) (Woodman (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Rachel King 60.5
6
3.2
Cliff House
- 5g Starcraft (NZ) x Wild Mia (USA) (Wildcat Heir (USA))
Tnr: T P Donnelly Rdr: D R Beasley 54
7
5.1
Marsabit
- 6g Mehmas (IRE) x Masela (IRE) (Medicean (GB))
Tnr: D A Williams Rdr: Q Krogh 54
8
5.2
King Frankel
- 6g Frankel (GB) x You'll Be Mine (USA) (Kingmambo (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Zac Lloyd 57
9
7
Makram
- 7g Make Believe (GB) x Spontaneous (IRE) (Sinndar (IRE))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: A B Collett 56.5
10
12.6
Renaissance Woman
- 4m Reliable Man (GB) x Mrs Kennedy (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J Parr 57
11
15
Zouatica
- 4g Zoustar (AUS) x Axiomatic (AUS) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: B Joseph & P & M Jones Rdr: Ms K Nisbet 54
12
15.1
One Aye
- 6m Super One (AUS) x Flying First Class (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: B Joseph & P & M Jones Rdr: Jack Martin 54.5
More Reading...
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets Inglis Weanling Sale Alight
The first session of the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale on Monday produced a new overall record price for this sale when a filly by Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside sold for $650,000.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
Growing Empire Retires to Yulong and Fee Set
One of the most exciting colts of his generation, Growing Empire, will join Yulong Stud’s stallion roster for the 2025 breeding season.
Campionessa Retired - How Much for the G1 Winning Mare?
Group One-winning mare Campionessa has been retired from racing and will be offered at Magic Millions’ Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale later this month.
Sires With Winners - Monday May 5
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Magic Millions Off-The-Track Cup Prizemoney Increases to $100,000
Magic Millions co-owner, Katie Page-Harvey and Queensland Off-The-Track Chair, Dr Christine Johnson today confirmed the prizemoney pool for the 2026 QOTT Cup will increase to $100,000.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
A busy set of trials at Randwick this morning saw Group I winning stallion Schwarz win a heat in good style in preparation for a Queensland trip, while on the juvenile front there were also a couple of carnival aspirants.
Zoffany Import Fawkner Park in a Class of his Own in Albury Cup
Winless in six starts since stringing four on the bounce last winter, Fawkner Park (IRL) gave his opponents a start and a beating in Friday’s $200,000 Listed Commercial Club Albury - Albury Gold Cup (2000m).
Windsor Park Delighted with First SW Circus Maximus
Promising youngster Towering Vision crowned a successful couple of days for Windsor Park Stud when he credited resident sire Circus Maximus with his first Southern Hemisphere black-type winner.
Fawkner Park Captures Group Two Q22 Stakes in a Canter
Annabel Neasham made it three wins in the last four years of the $1,200,000 HKJC World Pool Q22 at Eagle Farm when Fawkner Park (IRE) left the field in his wake in the Group II feature.