Chautauqua Last to First in Manikato

Short-priced favorite Chautauqua roared home from last and won the Aus$1million William Hill Manikato Stakes (Aus-I) Oct. 23 at Moonee Valley's night meeting, stamping himself one of Australia's top sprinters.

 

With sentimental favorite Buffering first out the gates and setting a sizzling pace, Rich Enuff and Tiger Tees were hard on his heels, while Tommy Berry settled Chautauqua at the back of the 10-horse field. The quick pace perfectly set up a late run for 5-year-old gelding, who wound up his winning rally a quarter mile out, swiftly closed ground past rivals in the final furlong, and drew clear to a two-length triumph. Stradbroke (Aus-I) and Tiara (Aus-I) victress Srikandi, racing wide throughout, was up for a creditable second, and Rebel Dane two lengths back in third. 

 

Chautauqua finished 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) in 1:09.51 on turf rated good.

 

Buffering was still in charge turning into the short stretch before being swamped by the challengers, including Srikandi and Rebel Dane, and finished fifth.

 

Chautauqua has a 9-5-1 record from 17 career starts for Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes, who train him for a large ownership group. His résumé includes a last-to-first win in the Darley T.J. Smith Stakes (Aus-I) last season. Friday's win marked a third consecutive win for the gelding, who came in with victories in the Gilgai Stakes (Aus-I) Oct. 4 at Flemington and Mittys McEwen (Aus-III) Sept. 5 at Moonee Valley. Possible on his agenda is the Hong Kong Sprint (HK-I) in December at Sha Tin and perhaps a trip to England year for the Royal Ascot meet in June.