Chautauqua Flashes to Lightning Stakes Win

Chautauqua unleashed his trademark burst of speed with less than a furlong to run down Flemington's famed straight and snatched victory in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (Aus-I) Feb. 20.

 

The son of Encosta de Lago won by a half head under Dwayne Dunn and finished the 1,000-meter (about five-furlong) trip in :57.02. Terravista held for second and Japonisme came in third in the field of six.

 

At the start, the field split into two groups. Longshot Va Pensiero and Terravista immediately headed to the field side of the course, while Japonisme and Exposure opted for the grandstand side, as Chautauqua tucked in behind them. Halfway through, Japonisme or Terravista each looked poised to go on for the win, but favorite Chautauqua came flying to be the spoiler.

 

Trained by Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes for R and C Racing, GPI Racing, and several other partners, Chautauqua added a third group I win to his record. He has a 10-6-1 career line from 19 starts that includes the 2015 T. J. Smith (Aus-I) and Manikato (Aus-I).

 

The 5-year-old bay gelding, bred in Australia by Woodbury Ltd., is out of multiple Australian group I winner Lovely Jubly, by Lion Hunter. He RNA'd (Aus$300,000) at the 2012 Inglis Easter sale has a yearling, where he was offered by Berkeley Park Stud, agent, but has gone on to earn more than Aus$3.8 million.

 

Chautauqua is now likely to have one race in Sydney during The Championships, one in Hong Kong, then all being well could head to Royal Ascot.