Dids excited about Fabian Hawk but drying conditions at Woodville against him

Trainer Peter Didham is excited about the way talented winter stayer Fabian Hawk is training but says he’s only a 70-30 chance of starting at Woodville on Sunday.

Didham had been hoping this week’s wintry conditions would see the track downgraded from a soft 7 on Thursday but it was reported as a soft 6 this morning.

That leaves Didham in a dilemma as, while the horse needs heavy conditions to show his best, he also needs to get the miles into his legs.

“You need to be hard fit when you’re going into the heavy winter tracks. At this stage he’ll run, unless it improves more.”

Fabian Hawk burst onto the winter scene 12 months ago with three dominant wins, in soft 7, heavy 8 and heavy 10 conditions and Didham had been hyped at how well he was training this time in.

“I thought he’d win his last start at Wanganui as his work had been outstanding but he was very disappointing.”

But while he was beaten 10 lengths, Fabian Hawk started coughing on return to scale and continued for some time afterwards.

“I think he must have got some sand or dirt down his throat so he had an excuse.”

Didham said Fabian Hawk had been working as well, if not better than stablemate Far Site, who pressed the winner Pride Of Aspen to a nose.

“His work has been terrific. Soft isn’t a problem but we know he’s better when it’s heavy as he gets through the ground very well.”

If Didham elects to start Fabian Hawk in Sunday’s Woodville-Pahiatua Cup, he knows he’ll get his chance with strong rider Jonathan Riddell engaged.