Barrier could prove sticky for Von Hauke

Trainer Cliff Brown and his team have worked hard to get Von Hauke (NZ) (Savabeel) to be a relaxed and manageable racehorse. 

In his early years, Von Hauke would want to get his races over and done with early, but with maturity and work the gelding has become more tractable. 

But it almost all came undone in a recent Mornington jump-out when Von Hauke was up to his old antics of wanting to rip and tear. 

Brown was disappointed to see Von Hauke back to his old tricks, although the Mornington based trainer was heartened by the gelding's last piece of work. 

"Briar Stobie rode him in his last bit of work, and he was a bit keen early, but then he came back under her really well," Brown said. 

"She said to me, 'I'm worrying about nothing', which was good to hear. 

"She knows him back-to-front." 

After a closing seventh in the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 19, Von Hauke heads back to Caulfield on Saturday for the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). 

Two starts ago, Von Hauke was placed in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm and Brown believes the gelding is capable of winning a big handicap one day. 

But Saturday's draw of 11 is a concern. 

"The barrier is a bit sticky," Brown said. 

"For him, he'll get back, and you have to hope they can make ground, but he's capable of winning one of these races one day. 

"He's done nothing wrong, his first-up run was excellent, as were several in it too." 

Von Hauke was bred by Waikato Stud and is out of the O’Reilly mare Tiara, who is a granddaughter of the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Royal Tiara.