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.
