Dual Caulfield Cup winner Nicholas Hall recounts 2013 success on gunmetal grey Fawkner

“Good onya Ollie!”

The exclamation at about the 800m in the 2013 Caulfield Cup led to now-happily retired Group 1 jockey-turned-barrier attendant Nicholas Hall winning a first spring major on gunmetal grey Fawkner, a horse owned by his godfather Lloyd Williams.

Hall, who won a second Caulfield Cup in 2016 on Jameka, reacted to legend Damien Oliver’s early move on Jet Away in the 2013 edition.

Hall was stuck five pairs back on the rail in a steadily run Caulfield Cup when Oliver glided past dynamic Fawkner.

“I distinctly remember wanting that (early move) at that stage of the race,” Hall said 10 years on from the milestone win.

“If you’re back a bit and they’re going slow you get held up, makes it hard to sprint home, but if something injects a bit of speed into it, they break up the field and you get your chance.”

As the speed quickened, Hall, who retired in 2018 a nine-time Group 1 winner, angled Fawkner off the rail on the bend and found clear air.

“He was a zippy type of stayer … he travelled really well and could put himself in a good spot if he needed to,” Hall said.

“There was really no room where I was going but I knew I had the horse to keep going there and then after I found that spot inside Hughie (Bowman, on Mr Moet) I think it was all over.

“I just needed the clear running … (Fawkner) just did what you asked of him, he was a really intelligent horse that could win at all distances.”

Fawkner won 11 of 32 career starts, including Group 1s at 1600m, 2000m and 2400m.

Nicholas Hall has worked as a barrier attendant the past five months (Image: Vince Caligiuri / Getty)

Rostered on behind the barriers at Caulfield on Saturday, Hall looks back fondly on the 2013 and 2016 triumphs.

“At the time I didn’t think much of it; it was exciting, it was a big major and all that stuff, but I guess looking back I’m glad, I got two in the end, I reached that height,” Hall said.

“I feel complete with it (career), I don’t feel like I missed out on much. Obviously Melbourne Cup is a beauty and Cox Plate, but I felt that feeling and what it’s like to be at the top level.

“I’m pretty happy and content with where I got to, I don’t have to look back thinking ‘Should I go back, is there something left to do?'”

Hall rode more than 700 winners in a career plagued by hip complaints.

Life behind the barriers has proven “just enough action” for the 36-year-old, who also rides trackwork for Anthony and Sam Freedman.

“I love it (barrier attendant), it’s a really nice, social day out, and I still get to see the boys, a bit of banter and that,” Hall said.

“I’m just grateful for having experienced it (jockey career), like it was literally a good ride and I’m happy I got to experience that this time around on the planet.”

Fawkner, aged 16 and white, lives happily in retirement at Living Legends.