Cliff Brown’s Queensland ambitions for his Group 1 hero Sepals are moving forward as planned.

The four-year-old gelding secured the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last spring, Brown’s first such achievement after resuming in Australia from 2021 Singapore duties.

Central to plans is the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 13, with Brown prepared to cease efforts promptly if the gelding falters.

The team’s Stradbroke options might expand following Von Hauke’s win in the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo over the weekend.

Sepals resumed with fourth in Flemington’s Newmarket Handicap (1200m), then travelled to Sydney as hot favourite for Rosehill’s Doncaster Prelude (1500m) March 28.

Below expectations there, Brown faulted the weight carried and Rosehill’s track softened by Sydney Carnival action, with Sepals continuing out of sorts in Melbourne.

Brown contemplated re-entering for Randwick’s Group 1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m) April 18 but selected a short paddock holiday.

“He had 10 days off and he’s come back in tremendous order,” Brown said.

“He just wasn’t himself, but he seems right now.

“I don’t think he appreciated the track up in Sydney, but just afterwards when we got him home, he just wasn’t himself.

“We know him intimately and he wasn’t right.

“I gave him a jump-out, which was OK, without being great, but then he had the 10 days off and I thought, if he’s OK, we’ll be able to continue on and if he’s not, we’ll go to the paddock.

“At this point he seems good and if he’s right, we’ll head up to Queensland, and he can have a run at the end of the month with the aim of hopefully getting him to the Stradbroke.”

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