Cliff Brown and his team have invested significant effort in refining Von Hauke into a composed and manageable racehorse.

Early in his career, Von Hauke displayed a tendency to rush his races, but through maturity and dedicated training, the gelding has become substantially more tractable.

This progress was nearly compromised in a recent Mornington jump-out when Von Hauke reverted to his old habits, showing an inclination to bolt.

Brown was disappointed to see Von Hauke backsliding to his former behaviour, though the Mornington-based trainer was encouraged by the gelding’s final training effort.

“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 securing a seventh-place finish in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 19, Von Hauke is scheduled to return to Caulfield on Saturday for the Toorak Handicap (1600m).

Two starts ago, Von Hauke finished in a placing position in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm, and Brown believes the gelding is capable of achieving victory in a major handicap race at some point.

However, the barrier draw of 11 for Saturday presents a notable obstacle.

“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 has entrusted Von Hauke to the care of his capable assistants, Mason Stevens and Kahlia Kaminski, on Saturday, while he will be in Sydney to attend to Sepals in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.

Sepals finished behind Angel Capital in the Sir Rupert Clarke at Caulfield during its initial start, a race in which Brown noted the gelding’s fitness faltered significantly in the latter 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 explained.

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

Similar to his stablemate, Sepals has drawn an unfavourable barrier for Saturday’s race, but the 1400m event is intended to prepare him for either the Champions Mile at Flemington during the concluding week of the Melbourne Cup carnival or the CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield the following week.

“I needed another 1400-metre run, so that’s why I’ve brought him up here,” Brown stated.

“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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