The Peter Snowden-trained Long John moved to second favourite for the Caulfield Guineas with a dominant win at Flemington yesterday.
Long John lost his unbeaten record with a first-up third at Moonee Valley to Cauthen two weeks ago but got back to winning ways as he strode clear in the Listed Henry Bucks Stakes (1400m) to win by 2-1/2 lengths.
New Zealand colt Cauthen, the $3.50 favourite, pressed forward from a wide gate to be second in the run but never quickened in the straight, finishing 12th.
Any examination of Cauthen showed the horse was suffering from a case of the thumps, a veterinary term for irregular diaphragm spasms.
Cauthen's trainer Andrew Campbell was a dejected figure in the mounting yard. "Racing's a great leveller," he said.
