Mature Von Hauke set for Caulfield first-up run
Trainer Cliff Brown has invested more than three years of effort and now looks forward to seeing returns from Von Hauke.
Von Hauke kicks off his new campaign in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, which might pave the way for global adventures, but interstate options appear more feasible.
From his racing debut in January 2023, Von Hauke has sabotaged himself repeatedly.
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.
The gelding has pushed Brown's limits by failing to deliver enough outings per season, but the trainer senses the now six-year-old has turned a corner.
Past preparations saw Brown begin with Von Hauke over 1100m, twice at Caulfield, with the gelding settling rearward before making ground.
Age and maturity have led Brown to target the 1400m this time.
"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 1400 (metres), 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."
Last October, Von Hauke triumphed in the Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley, then placed sixth to Ceolwulf in the Champions Mile at Flemington on November 8.
Following this weekend, he could head to Hong Kong's Champions Mile at Sha Tin on April 26 or stay in Australia eyeing Brisbane's Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm come June.
Brown called nominating for Hong Kong a 'throw at the stumps' notion.
"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."
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