Fawkner galloped his way into favouritism for the Cox Plate after his win in the weight for age Caulfield Stakes.

He is going to be the horse to beat, he goes into the race with a near perfect form line, the weight for age find of the spring.

The visitors will know he is there to defend his own slice of turf, he will give no quarter and won’t expect one either.

He appeals as the ideal horse for the 2040 metres assignment, he is an on pace horse with an explosive turn of foot, if it comes down to a dogfight that will suit him, he seldom gives in, he is a real fighter.

A number of horses are beginning to fall off the radar, Dissident bled, while Happy Trails made up a bit of ground he is not racing with the same zest as he did last year, and you rarely get a second chance in big races.

Criterion came home well in the Caulfield Stakes passing six horses in the straight, but has never been thought of as a weight for age performer.

Sacred Falls could have been the best run in the race outside of the winner, he is capable of running a good race, he was finishing on well at the business end of the Caulfield Stakes.