Racing: Cauthen confirms ability

Wairarapa visitor Cauthen distances his rivals in the Goldpine Juvenile at Te Rapa yesterday.

It's a fair trek from Opaki to Te Rapa but brilliant juvenile more than paid for the petrol

Opaki trainer Andrew Campbell was rewarded for bringing his well-regarded juvenile Cauthen north to Te Rapa for his debut, though he expects he will travel further in the future.

The son of Darci Brahma lived up to his big reputation, sitting three wide throughout in the Goldpine Juvenile (1200m) yesterday before running away for an effortless 8-length victory over Zanotti with third place going to Congressman.

"He's always been a good horse and we have always thought a lot of him," said the Wairarapa horseman. "It seems like we have been waiting a long time for him but he has shown us heaps."

Jockey Buddy Lammas, who also made the journey north for the ride, was equally impressed.

"He just cruised," he said. "He was a lovely horse when I rode him at the trials and that's why I was happy to come up here to ride him.

"That's what I drove five hours for, and I will travel further if need be to ride him."

Raced by a syndicate headed by prominent Wellington-based owner Tommy Heptinstall, Cauthen sports the same colours as top-drawer gallopers Tavistock, Sangster and Weissmuller.

"Tommy named him after Steve Cauthen, the brilliant American jockey whom Robert Sangster brought over to England in 1979," Campbell said.

Campbell selected the son of Darci Brahma at the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, knocked down for $85,000 from the draft of his breeders Wentwood Grange.

"I'll take credit for picking him and he is a lovely horse and always has been," said Campbell. "They're a bloody great group of guys who race him and they deserve everything they get."

In winning the $8000 race Cauthen has qualified for Hong Kong, however he may not end up there.

"I hope they keep him, and we have talked about an Aussie campaign," Campbell said. "He will likely have a couple of weeks off and I hope to run him in the Vain Stakes [1100m] en route to the Caulfield Guineas."

- NZ Racing Desk