Two of Cliff Brown’s Group 1 performers are back in Melbourne and are set to commence their spring campaign preparations.
Sepals and Von Hauke have been enjoying a spell in Queensland’s warm climate after finishing second and third, respectively, in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm last month.
The pair arrived back in Melbourne during the week and will commence their training on Monday.
“They spelled well,” Brown stated.
“I went to see them a couple of weeks ago at Newington Farm, and they were in great condition.
“It was a long campaign, and they raced on a heavy track last start, but they will resume on Monday, and we will go from there.”
Brown mentioned that plans for the Group 1 winning horse Sepals are still somewhat fluid, although a trip to Sydney for the King Charles III Stakes, which has recently achieved Group 2 status, is a possibility.
Looking further ahead, the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) on the final day of Melbourne Cup week at Flemington is a potential target.
“The Champions Mile in Cup week if he can manage the mile, but we will just have to see how he comes up,” Brown commented.
“Possibly the King Charles, but there will be many good horses competing there, and I thought a lot of the four-year-olds might head to The Golden Eagle.
“I reckon Von Hauke could be a good Epsom horse under the handicap conditions, over the mile; it would be beneficial.”
Brown noted that with only 13 starts to his credit, Sepals has yet to reach his full potential, while Von Hauke, now a rising seven-year-old, has finally come to understand the nature of racing.
“My horses keep improving with age,” Brown remarked.
“Sepals has only had 12 or 13 starts, while Von Hauke is rising seven and is still in great order.
“I don’t worry too much about the two-year-olds. I prefer to acquire them later, give them time, and buy that type of horse.
“We’ve only got 25 horses in work. Two of them made it to the Stradbroke, and we’ve had a few other city winners during the year, but there are no two-year-olds in the stable.
“It is simply based on time.”
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