The last time Sepals and Von Hauke raced, they finished second and third in a Group 1 race held in Brisbane.
The pair are now set for another Group 1 attempt, this time in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Sepals and Von Hauke crossed the line second and third respectively behind Spicy Martini on a heavy track in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June, before taking a winter break in Queensland.
Both horses had adjacent stalls, 16 and 17, during the Stradbroke Handicap and will again start from adjoining barriers on Saturday – Sepals in five and Von Hauke in six.
Poor draws have been a recurring issue for trainer Cliff Brown with this pair, particularly in Group races, forcing them to settle back in the field. However, Saturday might present a different scenario, especially for Von Hauke.
“He’s more tractable now Von Hauke,” Brown said. “He can be handy, but he hasn’t drawn well in the past which has cost him. Sepals can go forward, go back, it depends on how he jumps. They will both come on for the run, which is normal for my horses.”
Sepals is aiming to become the first horse since Testa Rossa in 1999-2000 to win the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes in consecutive years.
Under the guidance of Craig Williams, Sepals overcame a poor start and barrier 14 to win the Group 1 prize last year while carrying 52kg.
Sepals will carry 56.5kg this year and will be ridden by Ethan Brown, while Harry Coffey, who rode Von Hauke in Brisbane, will again take the mount on Saturday.
Brown has provided both horses with a similar preparation, which has included two jump-outs for each.
Von Hauke’s most recent jump-out was at Caulfield Heath in early September, while Sepals had a jump-out at Sandown last week.
“They’ll both be fit enough for 1400 metres, but with improvement to come,” Brown commented. “Vonnie is very good. He’s interesting. He’s quite a gross horse but comes on quite quick. He’s had a couple of gallops since his last jump-out while I trialled Sepals last week, a bit closer to the race. He won first-up last year, but he was scratched two weeks earlier because he went off in the gates and hit his head. That’s why he had that extra trial last year and that’s why I’ve trialled him a bit closer to Saturday because he can get that bit fresh.”
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