Real class grey area
Chautauqua’s chance to stake sprinting claim in Manikato
CHAUTAUQUA is hailed in most circles as the best sprinter in Australia.
The striking grey can confirm that in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley tomorrow night – or risk being tagged a flat-track bully.
Chautauqua, who possesses an electrifying burst of speed, has a major query over his title of champion – he has won only one of the four Group 1 races he has contested.
Yet the five-year-old has won four times at Group 2 level and twice at Group 3.
Chautauqua is the $1.95 favourite for the Manikato, well clear of Srikandi, Terravista and Buffering in the betting.
But he faces a daunting task. The son of Encosta De Lago has raced only once at the tight Moonee Valley track, swooping down the outside first-up this campaign to defeat Flamberge by 1½ lengths a in the McEwen Stakes (1000m) on September 5. He settled back from barrier 10.
The opposition tomorrow night will be far more testing, and barrier two will not suit Chautauqua’s racing style, raising the prospect of him being forced to race for luck.
The scenario could be similar to last start at Flemington where jockey Dwayne Dunn found himself boxed in during the Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on October 4. A gap appeared and the $1.30 favourite burst through to win by a length.
Chautauqua’s only Group 1 victory came in the 1200m T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in April. At his other Group 1 attempts, he was runner-up to Terravista in the Darley Classic at Flemington last November; runner-up to Brazen Beau in March’s Newmarket Handicap; and third behind Dissident April’s AllAged Stakes in Sydney.
Trainer John Hawkes has no doubt his charge is an elite sprinter, but experience tells him that no race, especially a Group 1, is a certain success.
“All Group 1 races are hard to win. In fact, there are no easy Group 1 races because you are running against really good horses,” Hawkes said.
“When you look at Terravista and Buffering and the rest, they are all good horses.
“But Chautauqua is fine, going good. He won at the Valley at his first sight there, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”
Hawkes has secured Tommy Berry, who won the T.J. Smith on him, to replace the suspended Dunn.
Berry will need to negotiate his way from barrier two, with Terravista inside him, and hope for a clear run.
Buffering will run to the lead and Srikandi, from the outside barrier, also will go forward.