Von Hauke soars to 2025 Crystal Mile success
It’s taken patience, but Cliff Brown’s faith in Von Hauke has been rewarded, with the six-year-old gelding breaking a lengthy drought to win Saturday’s Group 2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley.
Ridden by Ethan Brown, the Savabeel gelding stormed home from behind to capture the $400,000 contest, ending a 19-month run without a victory.
The result made amends for a luckless fourth in the same race last spring and marked a new career high for the late-maturing galloper.
“He’s a nice horse and he’s racing really tractably at the moment,” Brown said.
“I think you can see how well he was traveling as Ethan hadn’t moved and he just had to wait for the breaks.
“He was very good. He just needed the breaks and we got them.
“I think he’s really matured and everyone at home has done a great job with him.”
After a slow start to his campaign in The Heath (1100m), Von Hauke had been steadily improving, catching the eye in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) and the Group 3 Headquarters Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
On Saturday, luck turned his way. The $10 shot was momentarily held up on the turn before bursting through to defeat Golden Path ($4.20) by a length, with Rise At Dawn ($2.90) narrowly behind in third.
“I had him humming underneath me and I could see those horses rolling around so it was just a matter of time,” Ethan Brown said.
“We haven’t had a lot of luck lately but he stuck solid and we were able to get the job done today.”
Brown now plans to step Von Hauke into Group 1 company at Flemington, with the Champions Mile (1600m) and Champions Stakes (2000m) both under consideration.
For punters looking to back Von Hauke on Champions Day, top odds are available at trusted Australian betting sites such as Sportsbet, Ladbrokes and TAB.
More Racing News
Sir Kingsford's local Cups campaign begins at Morphettville Parks
A pursuit of a Melbourne Cup start has been abandoned for the South Australian galloper Sir Kingsford, who will now focus his attention on local Cup races.After securing second place in the Port Adelaide Cup at Morphettville in May, Sir Kingsford then travelled to Flemington to compete in the Andrew...
Nearco Frod seeks fifth win in a row at Sandown
The training partnership of Tony and Calvin McEvoy possesses a thorough understanding of equine development.Last year, after a period spent in the warmer climate of Queensland, Half Yours returned to claim a double in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.Half Yours is once again bound for the Melbourne Cup, with a...
Signature Scent primed for Carlyon Stakes challenge
A 1000m dash at Stakes level has been on the radar for Signature Scent for some time, according to the Ciaron Maher stable.Notwithstanding a recent failure to place in a three-year-old event, the stable sees no impediment to her contesting the Group 3 Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Sandown this Saturday.Having...
Idle Flyer's Spring Carnival Path Tested in Winx Stakes
Trainer Matthew Smith is keen to assess Idle Flyer's capabilities against top competition as she begins her spring campaign in the Winx Stakes at Randwick, with the Cox Plate looming as a potential target.After a dominant performance in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) in the autumn,...
Apocalyptic primed for Randwick return, says Berry
Just as Ninja made a statement with his Missile Stakes win two weeks ago, stablemate Apocalyptic will be on a mission to do the same when she launches her campaign in the Toy Show Quality at Randwick.Dominant in the Princess Series as a spring three-year-old, Apocalyptic performed below expectations in...
Almairac's Adelaide venture after frustrating draws
Despite a string of unfavourable barrier draws in the past week, trainer Cliff Brown is taking a calculated risk by sending Almairac to Adelaide.Almairac has faced wide gates at recent starts, including last Saturday in Sydney and Wednesday at Sandown. On Saturday, the gelding will again jump from a challenging...
Screen Icon's prospects brightened by Rosebud result
Trainer John Thompson received a positive sign from the Rosebud race, even without a runner, which has bolstered his confidence for Screen Icon's upcoming appearance in the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick.The recent running of the Rosebud saw Chilly Girl emerge victorious, finishing a half-length ahead of Screen Icon in...
Ceolwulf poised for spring resurgence
Trainer Joe Pride is optimistic about the return to form for Ceolwulf, a four-time Group One winner, after an abbreviated autumn campaign.The star miler, who had his spring campaign cut short after just two starts last time in due to foot concerns and a minor bleed, will make his reappearance...
Tennessee aiming for seventh consecutive win
Ciaron Maher's stable possesses a remarkable ability to nurture older mares, bringing out their best performances.One can point to the examples of Bella Nipotina and Pride Of Jenni, who continued to perform at a high level throughout their careers.Tennessee Bound, while perhaps not in the same calibre, boasts a notable...
Rosehill trials feature Headwall and emerging talent
While the Winx Stakes contest between Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi is capturing attention this week, Rosehill barrier trials are also a significant drawcard as several equine stars intensify their preparations for their return to racing.Headwall, a contender for The Everest, will undertake his third trial over 900 metres in...