Everest duo set for Manikato

THE ‘‘Grey Flash’’ Chautauqua will again clash with ‘‘Big Red’’ Vega Magic in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

The pair were the hard-luck stories of the $10 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick nine days ago.

Vega Magic was caught wide before running on to finish second to Redzel and Chautauqua did not get clear galloping room until the final 100m, rushing home for fourth.

Trainer John Hawkes said Chautauqua’s effort was “great” and “he was probably a bit unlucky”.

Chautauqua will be running in his third consecutive Manikato Stakes (1200m), having won it in 2015 and finishing seventh last year.

Hawkes said the sevenyear-old had pulled up in good order after The Everest.

“He came through it really well,” Hawkes said yesterday.

“He’s had a little freshenup on the water walker. He’s great. He’s nice and bright.

“He arrived in Melbourne on Saturday morning. He’s raced at Moonee Valley and he’s done well.”

Hawkes said he hoped the rail would be in the true position on Friday night and there would be some rain.

“It’s always a plus if it is, being a backmarker. He handles the Valley,” he said.

Chautauqua’s regular Melbourne jockey Dwayne Dunn will have the ride.

Lindsay Park co-trainer David Hayes said Vega Magic had come through The Everest “in amazing fashion”.

“When we put out the feed bins that night, he’d eaten up before the other horses, which is a great sign,” he said. “It was a tragedy he got beaten but he ran an enormous race.”

Vega Magic will be ridden by Craig Williams.

Stable manager Manny Gelagotis confirmed Malaguerra would take his spot in the race but he was searching for a jockey after Ben Melham was suspended on Saturday.

Gelagotis said Malaguerra got too far back in the Moir Stakes (1000m) and then had a bumping duel with Voodoo Lad, which hindered him.

“He’ll be much better suited over 1200m and this is his grand final,” Gelagotis said.