Opaki trainer Andrew Campbell is prepared to overlook Cauthen’s disappointing run at Flemington on Saturday and push ahead towards a start in the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 12.
Cauthen, above, winning his 2nd start in Australia at Moonee Valley. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Cauthen put in the worst run of his short career when a fading twelfth to the Peter Snowden trained Long John in the Listed $120,000 Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes (1400m).
Campbell thought the run was too bad to be true and the Stewards confirmed that reporting that the Darci Brahma colt pulled up in a distressed state with the thumps.
Thumps is a conditions that develops when the animal is under stress and the diaphragm twitches with the heartbeat and in some cases making an audible sound.
“I’ve never heard of it (the thumps) before, it was like we lost a member of the family we were all so depressed,” Campbell told Racing Network.
“I’ve never gone into a race so confident before, but this is the racing game and things don’t always go to plan.”
Cauthen arrived in Australia with a huge wrap after scoring an eight and half lengths win at Te Rapa on debut but was then beaten by Clevadude over 1000m at Moonee Valley.
The three year old then bounced back to score a convincing win over 1200m at Moonee Valley and Campbell was looking forward to getting to the more spacious Flemington track where he was certain that Cauthen would excel.
The punters were also convinced and sent the Kiwi out $3.50 favourite before watching him struggle down the Flemington straight.
Campbell will be hoping that the Flemington episode was a one off and will head to Caulfield for the Group 3 $175,000 BECK Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 29.
Cauthen has now slipped in Caulfield Guineas betting to be a $16 chance after once being one of the top fancies while Henry Bucks winner Long John has shot up the market order and is the second pick at $5 behind Melbourne colt Prince Harada, the $4.60 favourite.
