Campbell has Cox plan

The 2013 Cox Plate and Caulfield Guineas results brought mixed emotions for Wairarapa trainer Andrew Campbell.

Campbell trains Cauthen, who beat subsequent Cox Plate winner Shamus Award and Guineas winner Long John in a Moonee Valley stakes race in August.

Things went pear-shaped at his next start and the rest of the colt’s Melbourne campaign was aborted.

“It was sweet and sour,” Campbell said. “It would have been lovely to carry on with him, especially when he had beaten a couple of quality horses like that, but it’s good to see the form stacked up behind him.

“He didn’t beat walkers or anything like that, and we know we’ve got a horse. It’s just a matter of time until he hits the track again and hopefully we can prove he’s a good horse.”

Cauthen is entered for this year’s Cox Plate and Campbell is hoping to bring the 4-year-old across the Tasman for another shot at spring riches.

After winning the Mitchell McKenzie Stakes — beating Shamus Award and Long John — Cauthen finished almost 10 lengths from Long John in the Henry Bucks Stakes at Flemington and pulled up with the thumps. A few days later it was confirmed his spring was over because of shin soreness.

He has recovered now but his spring preparation is being hampered by New Zealand’s rough winter weather.