Tommy Berry doesn’t expect Chautauqua to get as far back in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize as he did at his last start but he won’t try to change his racing pattern.
Chautauqua came with a sustained run from last to win his second TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick earlier this month, a performance which elevated him to the top of the world’s sprint rankings.
Berry, who has ridden the Hawkes Racing-trained gelding to three of his four Group One wins in Australia, says he will let him do what he does best on Sunday at Sha Tin.
“I’m certainly not going out there with the plan to just drop back to last and circle the field,” Berry said.
“Early, we won’t be any closer than he wants to be but I’ll be tactically more aware than just thinking we hook out wide.
“He’s not shy inside horses and came through between horses when he won the Manikato Stakes.
“I’ll just let him do what he wants in the early part of the race and hopefully they run along up front and we can pick them up.”
Recent Dubai winner Buffering is Australia’s other chance in the race with Damian Browne aboard.
Berry will ride Rewarding Hero for trainer John Moore in the Champions Mile, the other Group One race in Hong Kong on Sunday.
He is optimistic rather than confident about causing an upset over the favourite, Japanese horse Maurice.
“… favourites don’t always win and Rewarding Hero’s form has improved now that he’s been ridden a lot closer at his past couple,” Berry said.
“With a bit of luck in running, he might go a bit better than many people would think.”
Australia will be represented by Godolphin’s Group Two winner Bow Creek in the Mile with Zac Purton to ride.
Trainer John O’Shea arrived in Hong Kong on Wednesday and was pleased with the five-year-old’s condition.
“Weight-wise he’s exactly where he needs to be,” he said.
“His optimum weight is 474 kilograms and he was 473 this morning. I’m hopeful he can run a cheeky race.”
