Two of Cliff Brown’s prominent Group 1 runners are back in Melbourne, ready to commence their spring campaign preparations.
Sepals and Von Hauke have been enjoying a break in the Queensland heat following their second and third placings respectively in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm last month.
The duo arrived back in Melbourne during the week and will begin their training on Monday.
“They spelled well,” Brown remarked.
“I visited them a few weeks ago at Newington Farm, and they were in great shape.
“It was a long campaign, and they raced on a heavy track last start, but they will recommence work on Monday, and we will take it from there.”
Brown mentioned that plans for Group 1 winner Sepals are still fluid, although a trip to Sydney for the King Charles III Stakes, which has recently attained Group 2 status, is a possibility.
A longer-term goal could be the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.
“The Champions Mile in Cup week, if he can handle the mile, but we will have to see how he comes up,” Brown said.
“Perhaps the King Charles, but there will be many top horses competing there, and I thought many of the four-year-olds might target The Golden Eagle.
“I believe Von Hauke could be a strong contender for the Epsom Handicap under handicap conditions over the mile; that would be advantageous.”
Brown explained that with only 13 starts under his belt, Sepals has not yet reached his peak performance, while Von Hauke, a rising seven-year-old, has finally come to understand what racing entails.
“My horses continue to improve with age,” Brown noted.
“Sepals has only had 12 or 13 starts, while Von Hauke is turning seven and is still in excellent condition.
“I don’t worry too much about the two-year-olds. I prefer to acquire them later, give them time, and purchase that type of horse.
“We have only 25 horses in training. Two of them competed in the Stradbroke, and we’ve had several other city winners this year, but there are no two-year-olds in the stable.
“It is purely a timing-based decision.”
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