Chautauqua could still be seen again this autumn
Three-time TJ Smith Stakes winner Chautauqua could still be seen again this autumn.
Chautauqua unleashed a breathtaking finishing burst to win his third $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, coming from last to reel in English.
Part-owner Rupert Legh said the gelding was still in his Rosehill stable with a decision whether he goes to another feature race this campaign to be made by senior trainer John Hawkes.
“I’ve spoken to John as late as this morning and the horse is bright and well again, pretty well the same as after he ran in the George Ryder,” Legh told Melbourne radio RSN927 on Monday.
“He did prick his foot on a nail when his shoe came off in the mounting yard. We’ll know more in about three or four days if that’s all good, because that problem doesn’t surface until three or four days later.
“But at this stage he’ll do his normal thing around the stable, doing very little.
“We’ll make our mind up on the weekend – or John will.”
He said the races under consideration were the $1 million set weights plus penalties Group One Goodwood (1200m) in Adelaide next month, a defence of the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in Hong Kong or the Group One All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday week.
“So it’s not dead in the water that he’s going out in the paddock,” Legh said.
Legh underwent back surgery last week and watched the race from his hospital bed but from what he saw he said he believed Saturday’s performance showed Chautauqua was better now than a year ago.
Chautauqua is the TAB’s $4.60 favourite to win the $10 million Everest (1200m) at Randwick in October with Legh confirming fellow owner Greg Ingham had secured a slot in the race.
