Race programming can be a challenge for trainers, and Cliff Brown has faced this issue with Sepals, a winner at his past two starts.

Sepals broke his maiden with a 1400m win at Sale before stepping up to an open benchmark 64 race at Sandown over the same distance on January 29.

In an ideal world, Brown would be targeting a benchmark 70 race for three-year-olds over 1400m, but instead, Sepals will contest the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.

“We’re throwing him in the deep end because we sort of have to,” Brown said. “There are no benchmark 70 races for three-year-olds over 1400m, so we either face the older horses, who are tough competitors.”

Brown recognizes that it’s rare for a three-year-old to win a maiden and then step up to win an open benchmark 64, but the race programming has led them to this point.

Blake Shinn will take over the ride on Sepals on Saturday with Jamie Mott sidelined due to suspension. Brown remains unsure of where Sepals will fit but believes in the horse’s potential.

“He’s a very genuine horse, and we’ll get a better idea after Saturday,” Brown said. “He’s drawn a nice gate and will appreciate being allowed to build into the race without early pressure.”

Brown purchased Sepals at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, having previously trained the gelding’s dam, What’s New, in Singapore. What’s New was a Group 2 and Group 3 winner under Brown’s care, and Sepals’ quality made him an easy purchase.

“This was her first foal, and he was such a lovely horse I had to buy him,” Brown said.