It was not co-trainer Trent Busuttin's original plan for Cauthen to take on Lankan Rupee in Saturday's Group II McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
Busuttin and training partner Natalie Young wanted Cauthen to debut for their stable in the Listed Drummond Golf Stakes (1200m) but the four-year-old was well down the order of entry for that race.
"That was the plan all along to kick him off in that race (the Drummond Golf Stakes) but he was 24th or 25th in the order of entry and they only run 14," Busuttin said.
The scenario left the McEwen Stakes as the only option for Cauthen on Saturday. Bookies think Cauthen will struggle to get near the world's best sprinter, posting him as a $15 chance with Lankan Rupee a $1.25 favourite.
Cauthen joined Busuttin and Young for his spring campaign after starting his career with fellow New Zealander Andrew Campbell.
Campbell trained Cauthen when the entire defeated Long John and Shamus Award at Listed level in August last year before that pair went on to win the Caulfield Guineas and Cox Plate respectively later in the spring.
Busuttin said Cauthen arrived at his stable in excellent condition but the son of Darci Brahma's size meant he would take a run or two to reach peak fitness.
"He's in fantastic order and his coat looked terrific when he turned up and credit to Andrew for that," Busuttin said.
"I'm still learning about the horse. He's a big, gross, impressive horse and he trialled up well on Friday and galloped well but he's had a big blow both times.
"Whatever he does on Saturday, he'll take a fair bit of improvement out of it."
Steven Arnold will partner Cauthen in the McEwen Stakes.
