Talented four-year-old Cauthen is breathing easy after throat surgery which his new trainer John Sargent hopes will help him get his career back on track.
Cauthen beat subsequent Cox Plate winner Shamus Award in a Listed race during the 2013 Melbourne spring when trained by New Zealander Andrew Campbell.
Cauthen – Photo by Sharon Chapman
He was transferred to another Kiwi, Trent Busuttin, who was based in Melbourne this spring, but failed to live up to expectations in two starts.
The New Zealand connection has continued with ex-pat Sargent, who now trains at Randwick, in charge for his next campaign.
“Cauthen had the same wind operation as So You Think,” Sargent said.
“He seems to have come through it well but we haven’t put him under any pressure yet.
“The aim is to get a Group One with him next year. He has the ability and now we know he had an excuse.”
Sargent is also looking forward to the return of Group One winner Kirramosa who has had problems of her own.
The winner of the 2013 VRC Oaks, Kirramosa missed the autumn with a leg problem and her Caulfield Cup bid was halted when she performed badly in the Caulfield Stakes.
“She has been on the treadmill and will be back in early December,” Sargent said.
“We will look at all the options for her.”
Thunder Lady just failed to emulate her stablemate when second in this year’s VRC Oaks and he returned to the stable has been delayed.
“She was getting ready to come back in but she had a temperature for four days so there’s about a week’s delay in her return,” Sargent said.
“Neena Rock is also due back and she will get ready for the Coolmore Classic and the Queen Of The Turf Stakes in the autumn.
“They look like they will suit her.”
Neena Rock is another horse Sargent has inherited from New Zealand with the aim of securing a Group One win to boost her value at stud.
She is by Fastnet Rock and her great grand dam is the champion United States mare Miesque, the winner of two Breeders’ Cups.
Neena Rock had four starts during the spring with her best result victory in the Group Three Angst Stakes in October.
