Chautauqua is currently priced at 2015 Darley Classic odds of $1.60 and he is set to start the Group 1 event at Flemington tomorrow as a dominant favourite.
Chautauqua claimed his second win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Manikato Stakes. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Chautauqua started his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a win in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 5 and he survived a chequered passed to take out the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 4 before he stormed home late to record a most impressive win in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 23.
Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes admits that Chautauqua looked like he has done it very easily in the Manikato Stakes, but he told Racing Ahead this morning that the run had still taken plenty out of his star sprinter and he had been given a fairly quite week ahead of the 2015 Darley Classic.
“He is good, he is well and he is happy,” Hawkes said.
“He doesn’t mind the wet track, so he isn’t upset at all.
“He had an easy week last week.
“His win didn’t look that hard and it looks so easy and obviously impressive, but it does take it out of them those horses.
“They literally bust their guts and he gives 110%.
“He knew that he had a run and he pulled up a bit tight.
“He didn’t pull up any worse that he had previously and within a couple of days they are back on top of themselves and away they go.”
While Hawkes is thrilled with the condition of Chautauqua, he admits that the Flemington track and the inconsistent way that the track has played throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival is a concern ahead of the 2015 Darley Classic.
Hawkes said that he will leave the riding instructions up to Dwayne Dunn and he is confident that the veteran hoop can steer the son of Encosta De Lago to a fourth straight race win in the Darley Classic.
“You are not going to know what is going to happen,” Hawkes said.
“Yesterday’s instructions to the boys were good luck and that is the truth.
“Dwayne Dunn is on the big money and that is what he gets paid to do.
“He is the one that has to sort that out and drawn four you have nine other blokes out there that are out to stuff up your party.
“When you have Chautauqua that are looking for you everywhere.”
Chautauqua is currently available at 2015 Darley Classic odds of $1.60 with Ladbrokes and he is a clear favourite from Terravista ($8), Srikandi ($8), Lumosty ($12), Buffering ($15), Boban ($16) and Delectation ($18).
You can score the best odds for every single race at Flemington on Saturday with Ladbrokes, who are offering Best Tote or SP +20% on all nine races!
