With over three years of commitment behind him, trainer Cliff Brown expects dividends from Von Hauke soon.
Von Hauke launches his preparation in Saturday’s Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield, which may unlock overseas prospects, but interstate campaigns feel more realistic.
The gelding has been his greatest adversary since entering racing in January 2023.
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.
He has strained Brown’s forbearance by not providing enough races each time out, though the six-year-old now appears enlightened to the trainer.
Brown previously kicked off with 1100m at Caulfield on two occasions for Von Hauke, who would settle deep and chase home.
Greater maturity prompts Brown to stretch to 1400m.
“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.”
Von Hauke took the Crystal Mile honours at Moonee Valley in October, then was sixth to Ceolwulf in the Champions Mile at Flemington, November 8.
Post-Saturday, Hong Kong’s Champions Mile at Sha Tin awaits on April 26, or locally to Brisbane for a potential Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) shot at Eagle Farm in June.
Brown labeled the Hong Kong entry a ‘throw at the stumps’ punt.
“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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