03 May 2026
Stradbroke for Von Hauke
The Cliff Brown-trained Von Hauke (NZ) (Savabeel) will venture to Queensland this winter after his good win in the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo on Saturday.
The son of Savabeel closed too well for his rivals carrying 60kgs and Brown was delighted to see the stable favourite salute.
“He is a lovely horse. He is a bit of a character too so it’s good to see him achieving what he is capable of,” Brown said.
“He was always quite aggressive as a younger horse, not in nature, but just in his races and that has taken a long time to get out of him.
“He was running over unsuitable distances for quite a while just to teach him to relax and second-up over a mile he still over-raced a little bit but for him he was very good, so he’s slowly getting there.”
The Mornington horseman said it was a great effort by Von Hauke to burst through late to overhaul Wonder Boy right on the line with Shockletz in third, with the placegetters both carrying 54kgs.
“I thought he was tremendous to be held up and then made to sprint with 60kgs, giving away plenty of weight to quality opposition,” Brown said.
“It’s very difficult, so I think it just shows the ability he has and he does have that really good turn of foot when he’s asked. It was a really meritorious performance.
“He has pulled up very well this morning (Sunday). He is a remarkably tough horse and he ate up last night.”
Brown is keen to travel Von Hauke north to Queensland, where he could potentially clash with Group One winning stablemate Sepals in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap, (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 13.
“I think a race like the Stradbroke would really suit him because they will go along quickly and he can handle a firm surface and he can handle a bit of give in the track as well,” he said.
“Going to Brisbane at that time of year, you can get any conditions but I think a genuine fast tempo would really suit him.
“I think it is a credit to everyone at work that we have two or three nice horses from a stable of just 25 to take to Queensland. The staff put a lot of work in and hence you get the longevity and keep them in good order.
“You look at Von Hauke, he is six turning seven but he is really, touch wood, fit and healthy.”
Brown said it was great to combine with in-form jockey Harry Coffey.
“Harry is just a lovely person, like his Dad Austy who I know, and he is just the same. They are a tremendous family and you couldn’t say a bad word about Harry,” he said.
The New Zealand TAB has Von Hauke as a $51 chance in the futures market for the Stradbroke, while Sepals is rated a $15 chance. - NZ Racing Desk
Vegas Queen back on top at Te Rapa
Group Two winner Vegas Queen (NZ) (Proisir) returned to winning form at Te Rapa on Saturday when taking out the Jones Trucking 1200, much to the relief of trainer Kenny Rae.
The Ruakaka horseman said he went into the race in blind faith, having been unable to find a suitable trial in the lead-up to her fresh-up run. However, he was sure he had her cherry ripe for Saturday’s assignment and his judgment was vindicated when the daughter of Proisir ran away to a one length victory over Moschino.
“It was relief more than anything,” Rae said. “I was 98 percent sure I had the horse right and ready but without the trial, and working her at home against our own horses, I wasn’t 100 percent sure.
“But it was a really good effort.”
Following two victories late last year, Vegas Queen put in a couple of uncustomary subpar showings earlier this year, and Rae was pleased to see her back to her usual self on Saturday following a freshen-up.
“We have had a couple of mishaps with her and her bloods weren’t 100 percent,” Rae said. “After Karaka Millions night (15th in Gr.3 Aotearoa Classic, 1600m) we probably should have turned her out then (before running 13th in the Wairere Falls Classic, 1500m).”
Rae has a high opinion of Vegas Queen, so much so that he sent her stakes-winning stablemate Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver), who he part-owns, south to his daughter Krystal Williams to campaign in Canterbury to separate them.
“I think she (Vegas Queen) is a very tidy animal,” Rae said. “I sent Illicit Dreams down to Christchurch to Krystal for that reason.”
Illicit Dreams was also fresh-up at Riccarton on Saturday where she finished fourth over 1200m, and Rae was happy enough with the run after an unideal float trip south.
“She rubbed her hip a wee bit on the truck going down, it was nobody’s fault, they must have had a rough sailing,” he said. “She seemed alright, Jason Laking worked her and he said she was fine.
“She ran 1:09 and that is probably at her limit. It wasn’t subpar, but I thought it (performance) might have been a wee bit better.”
While down in Canterbury, Rae said he may test Illicit Dreams on Riccarton’s polytrack over winter.
“She will probably go around at Timaru, but I might give her a run on the polytrack and see what she does on it,” he said.
Back home at Ruakaka, Rae has been pleased with the way Vegas Queen has come through her run and said she will likely head to Ellerslie for her next target.
“I put her in the paddock last night and she seems as bright as a button,” he said. “She will go around Ellerslie in two weeks’ time.” - Joshua Smith LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Joshua Smith
