October
AugustMighty, fighting Hawks
On Monday August 6 I had one of my finest days watching thoroughbred racing.
Venue: Fannie Bay racecourse. Or can we rename it Hawks Bay racecourse?
To borrow a line from Lee Freedman on Makybe Diva’s three Melbourne Cups, no one will ever see that again.
Herculean Hawks Bay, carrying 64.5kg and conceding up to 10.5kg to his rivals, made it back-to-back Darwin Cups at his fourth start in the event.
Critics, tipsters and even bookmakers were proved wrong by the ability, courage and will to win of Hawks Bay.
A sensational ride by Steve Arnold got the champ up by a nose after being headed by Bolton, who remains a maiden on his home track.
Full credit to Neil Dyer and his team on their successful carnival in the Top End — nine winners and nine placings over eight days.
Racecourse in Victoria’s Western District such as exquisite Dunkeld and magnificent Warrnambool have areas on course named after great horses — Tauto at Dunkeld, Foxboy and Galleywood at the ’Bool.
Perhaps the Darwin Turf Club could do likewise at Fannie "Hawks" Bay.
August 6, 2012, will last forever in my memory.
Warrnambool (Vic)