Brown's pair face barrier challenges at Caulfield

Cliff Brown and his training staff have invested significant effort in cultivating Von Hauke into a calm and manageable racehorse.

During his formative racing years, Von Hauke tended to rush through his races, but with the passage of time and dedicated work, the gelding has become much more amenable.

However, this progress was nearly jeopardised in a recent Mornington jump-out, where Von Hauke exhibited a relapse into his old habits, displaying a strong desire to bolt.

Brown was disheartened to witness Von Hauke reverting to his former tendencies, although the trainer, based in Mornington, was heartened by the gelding's final trackwork session.

"Briar Stobie rode him in his last bit of work, and he was a bit keen early, but then he came back under her really well," Brown said.

"She said to me, 'I'm worrying about nothing', which was good to hear.

"She knows him back-to-front."

After concluding the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 19 in seventh place, Von Hauke is slated to compete again at Caulfield on Saturday in the Toorak Handicap (1600m).

In his two starts prior, Von Hauke achieved a placing in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm, and Brown is of the opinion that the gelding has the potential to claim a major handicap race eventually.

Yet, the draw of barrier 11 for Saturday's event is a point of concern.

"The barrier is a bit sticky," Brown commented.

"For him, he'll get back, and you have to hope they can make ground, but he's capable of winning one of these races one day.

"He's done nothing wrong, his first-up run was excellent, as were several in it too."

Brown will delegate the care of Von Hauke to his trusted lieutenants, Mason Stevens and Kahlia Kaminski, on Saturday while he travels to Sydney to present Sepals for the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.

Sepals was defeated by Angel Capital in the Sir Rupert Clarke at Caulfield during its initial run, where Brown indicated that the gelding's fitness levels significantly declined in the closing stages.

"He needed the break after Brisbane, and he would have only had a couple of weeks off if I wanted to run in the Memsie," Brown stated.

"That month off he did so well, but his fitness blew out in the final stages last time."

Much like his stable companion, Sepals faces an unfavourable barrier draw on Saturday, but the 1400m contest is designed to prepare him for either the Champions Mile at Flemington on the concluding day of Melbourne Cup week or the CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield the subsequent week.

"I needed another 1400-metre run, so that's why I've brought him up here," Brown explained.

"Trip up and a trip home, plus the run, that will help him and he might have a jump-out before his next start."

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