Fawkner shines in finale

Fawkner Park powered clear in the closing stages to run out an impressive winner of the concluding ten furlong maiden at Dundalk tonight.

11/10 favourite Fleet Commander picked up the running after a couple of furlongs in the race but had no answer when passed by the Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding over a furlong from home.

Shane Crosse 's mount was much too strong for his rivals as he streaked clear inside the final furlong to record a six-and-a-half length win at odds of 11/8.

It was a third career outing for the Zoffany gelding who had been third on debut at Killarney before finishing a close fifth in a bunch finish at Leopardstown.

Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: "I think he is off to the sales next week, he's in there anyway so I suppose that is up to Joseph and to Lloyd and Nick Williams.

"He has learned from his first two runs. I thought the other day at Leopardstown he was probably a bit unlucky. He missed the break a bit and it turned into a bit of a sprint and he stayed on. After the line, he was sort of back in front again.

"Today, Shane said he actually picked up well. He galloped the whole way to the line, so he has done it nicely.

"He has (loved the surface) but he likes soft ground on the grass. He'll go with plenty of cut in the ground as well.

"He'll be a nice horse for somebody, I'd say."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)