Boom Darci Brahma colt Cauthen (NZ) arrived in Australia this week to begin his build-up toward the G1 Caulfield Guineas.

Trainer Andrew Campbell had given thought to a start in this Saturday’s Listed Ryder Stakes, but he wasn’t prepared to risk the rising star on an expected heavy track at Awapuni.  “It would be way too bad for him so he’s gone over and will be staying at Peter Morgan’s place at Whittlesea,” he said.  “He’s got a beautiful set-up and that’s where we stayed when we went over with Tavistock.”

An 8 length debut winner at Te Rapa, Cauthen is likely to make his first Australian appearance at Moonee Valley on August 3.  “It’s a 1000 metre race and they may run him off his feet, but it’s a pipe-opener for him,” Campbell said.  “Then there’s another couple of races for him before the Guineas on October 12.”

Cauthen has been accompanied on the trip by this season’s G3 Wellington Stakes winner Weissmuller (Handsome Ransom), who hasn’t raced since the G1 New Zealand Derby in March.  He recently finished second in a 1000 metre open trial at Foxton.

“He just didn’t handle the track there at all, but he still found the line nicely,” Campbell said.  “He’s as big as a bull so there’s a lot of improvement to come from him.  He will probably run at Flemington on August 10.”

In the meantime, Campbell’s immediate domestic focus will be on the promising Mossimo (Mossman) who will fly the stable flag in the Ryder.  He races in the same colours as Cauthen and Weissmuller and has placed twice from four appearances, including a last-start third in the Listed Castletown Stakes.

“We’ve always rated him and all he’s needed was the blinkers,” Campbell said.  “We put them on in the Castletown and he should have won – the bad draw didn’t help.”