Grown up Von Hauke first-up at Caulfield
After more three years of hard work, trainer Cliff Brown is hoping to finally reap the rewards with Von Hauke (NZ) (Savabeel).
The Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday will be Von Hauke's first run of the campaign which could lead him on to international travel, but more likely interstate.
Von Hauke has been his own worst enemy since he began racing in January 2023.
Brown would describe it as 'kid's stuff', doing things wrong in his races, playing up in his paddock to the extent the son of Savabeel required surgery for a jaw injury.
Von Hauke has tested Brown's patience as he couldn't get the number of runs each preparation out of the gelding, but the trainer now feels the penny has dropped for the now six-year-old.
In previous campaigns, Brown has started Von Hauke at 1100m, twice at Caulfield, where the gelding would get out the back and run on.
But with age and maturity, Brown said the 1400m was worthy of having a go at.
"The reason has been he's been such a hard going horse, but he seems to have grown up a lot lately," Brown said.
"It may not work, but he seems a lot better in himself and not wanting to overdo things as badly as he has in the past.
"Hopefully, at this trip he can be handier and when he does get to the races, he is a lot more grown up.
"He's come up very good but first-up at the 1400m, he will improve.
"He had a great prep last time with the only failure he had was on that bottomless track on Champions Day, but bar that, he's really well."
Von Hauke won the Gr.2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley last October before running sixth to Ceolwulf in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on November 8.
Post Saturday's outing there is the option of a trip to Hong Kong for the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on April 26 or remain at home and potentially head to Brisbane with the aim of running in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June.
Brown said it was a 'throw at the stumps' idea to put a nomination in for Hong Kong.
"Hong Kong is not ruled in, it's not ruled out, but it also depends on what is going to run up there," Brown said.
"The horse is in good shape, so we'll see how he goes, but he might go to Brisbane. The Stradbroke could be on the agenda if he's good enough."
