Trainer Cliff Brown intends to proceed with a Queensland campaign for his Group 1 victor Sepals.
The gelding triumphed in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield during last spring’s racing, marking Brown’s initial Group 1 success since his return from Singapore in 2021.
Brown is targeting the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 13, though he noted that any issues with the four-year-old would prompt an immediate halt to plans.
The stable could feature a further entry in the Stradbroke after Von Hauke’s win in the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo on Saturday.
Following a fourth placing in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on debut this preparation, Brown took Sepals to Sydney, where the gelding started as a strong favourite in the Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Rosehill on March 28.
Sepals underperformed that day, with Brown pointing to a heavy weight and a fatigued Rosehill surface from the Sydney Carnival as factors, yet the gelding remained below par upon returning to Melbourne.
Brown had eyed a Sydney return for the Group 1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 18 but opted for a short spell in the paddock instead.
“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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