The Cliff Brown-trained Von Hauke swamped his rivals late under a patient rider from Ethan Brown to land the Gr.2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at The Valley on Saturday.
The six-year-old son of Savabeel had been luckless when fourth in last year’s Crystal Mile and was back in the winner’s circle for the first time in 18 months despite racing well.
Von Hauke got back in the run and closed well to get the better of fellow New Zealand-bred gallopers Golden Path and Rise At Dawn.
“He has gone great,” Ethan Brown said following the win.
“We couldn't change his pattern. I wanted to stay in, just with the way the track is playing. I had to ride a very patient race and when the gap came I was confident I was on the right horse.
“I had him humming underneath me, and I could see the leaders rolling round, so it was just a matter of time.
“It is great to get a winner for Cliffy. We haven't had a lot of luck lately, but he has stuck solid and we were able to get the job done today.”
Cliff Brown was full of praise for his jockey.
“He does a great job for the stable,” he said. “The horse settled very well, maybe a bit keen, but a lot were keen, but he did come back under him, and he was very good.
“He just needed the breaks, and this year we got them.
“I think he has really mentally matured, and everyone at home has done a great job with him.”
Brown said he would now consider a tilt at the Gr.1 Champion Stakes (2000m) with the gelding.
“We will just see what's in it first,” he said.
Von Hauke was bred by Waikato Stud and is out of the O’Reilly mare Tiara, who is a granddaughter of the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Royal Tiara.
Von Hauke is the best of four winners from five foals to race from Tiara and is another example of the Savabeel nick with O’Reilly mares, which operates at a remarkable 14 percent stakes winners to runners.
Offered by Stonehouse Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Von Hauke was bought by Cliff Brown Racing for A$190,000. – NZ Racing Desk
