Fabian Hawk’s star continued to rise at Awapuni on Saturday.
The son of Turn Me Loose jumped away well from his ace barrier for jockey Johnathan Parkes, who took his charge straight to the lead where he was able to dictate terms throughout, eventually running out a 1.25 length victor over Quota.
Trainer Peter Didham was rapt with the win and he was buoyed by Parkes’ debrief following the run.
“He is very promising,” said Didham, who also part-owns the gelding.
“It was an excellent ride by Johnathan Parkes. They went quick down the straight, he slowed them up and then kicked away with it.
“Johnathan said he had a little bit left, so that was really good to hear.”
While Didham was a bit apprehensive about the Heavy 8 track conditions prior to the jump, he took comfort from the outcome and he is excited about what the future holds for the gelding.
“I was very wary about the sticky track. Last start the track was really loose and he got through it really well,” Didham said.
“He has shown he is okay on good footing as well. I am not concerned about when the better tracks come around.
“He has always been slow maturing, he is light framed, and he is probably six months away from being a real horse, so what he is doing now is great.”
The win was Fabian Hawk’s third from just seven starts and Didham said he will now give the four-year-old a couple of days in the paddock before assessing his options.
“We will give him a couple of days and see,” he said.
“The weather is unpredictable and we don’t know what is going on. There were a couple of enquiries about purchasing him from overseas parties, so they might come back now.”
Earlier on the card, Didham was pleased with stablemate Ruffhouse Rosie’s runner-up result in the Manawatu ITM 2100.
“She had worked really well with him (Fabian Hawke) on Tuesday, so we were confident of a good run,” he said.
“She tries really hard and her owner Terry Lines will have a lot of fun with her.
More New Zealand horse racing news
