Perth test for Von Hauke in Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley
Mornington trainer Cliff Brown would like to see Von Hauke able to string some races together instead of being sidelined for some minor niggle.
Von Hauke heads to the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday following another interrupted campaign.
This year has been much of the same after Brown had ambitions of tackling the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June with the gelding.
The program started out well with Von Hauke winning the Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m) at Flemington in March before running well in the Doncaster Prelude at Randwick.
Brown was then heading to Brisbane with the gelding, but being the ‘naughty kid’ he is, Von Hauke ripped open his jaw and required surgery to remove a tooth, putting an end to Stradbroke plans.
Even on the home front it has not been plain sailing.
A storm before the most recent Flemington meeting resulted in Von Hauke having to be scratched from his engagement in the Listed Paris Lane Stakes, delaying his campaign.
“The night before the Flemington meeting was when we had a storm and a lot of lightning, and he misbehaved in his yard and knocked his knee,” Brown said.
“I had to scratch him. It was fine, but I had to treat it, but they’re the little things he’s done through his whole career, whether it’s ripping a tooth out and requiring surgery, to little knocks.
“It’s just one thing after another with him. He needs racing now. He’s had no continuity this prep.
“I don’t think The Valley is his track, but he needs a run to be right for Flemington.”
Brown also has The Inferno engaged in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m).
The Inferno won the McEwen Stakes when it was run in September and over 1000m, before a programming switch this year.
That win in 2021 is The Inferno’s only success after being one of Singapore’s best gallopers.
Brown said The Inferno was going well and back on his favourite track and can run better than his most recent run indicated.
Both Von Hauke and The Inferno have been entered for a number of races in Perth for the upcoming Summer Carnival and Brown is keen to explore a trip west further, but first the pair needs to show they are worthy of travel.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...