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.