CHAUTAUQUA GETS CHANCE TO PROVE HE’S RACE READY

THE special treatment for barrier rogue Chautauqua has stepped up a notch, with the ‘Grey Flash’ granted the first mid-meeting trial at the Valley on Friday night.

Racing Victoria stewards will give the superstar sprin- ter permission to resume racing should he jump to their satisfaction in the sevenhorse special event.

Chautauqua failed several jumpouts in Sydney, including a specially organised trial between races at a Saturday meeting at Rosehill, where he did jump, but not on terms with the other runners.

Racing NSW stewards were about to ban the eightyear-old, but his owners petitioned officials in NSW and Victoria for one more chance.

Chautauqua then left the gates in a four-horse, 800m jumpout at Flemington last Friday, fuelling hopes his career was not finished.

And in what looms as a last- ditch bid to get him back to the track, RV and Valley officials agreed to the special event on Friday.

It will take place between races four and five, at 8.20pm, in the first night meeting of the season. The trial will be over 1000m, with seven horses, and, to accommodate it, the standard 30-minute gap between races will be extended to 45 as Chautauqua takes centre stage.

Connections of Chautauqua will also be allowed to nominate the five-time Group 1 winner for the Manikato Stakes at the Valley on October 26, and the VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington on November 10.