Chautauqua has laid claim to being anointed the best sprinter in the world after scoring a TJ Smith Stakes win that verged on the impossible.
On a day dominated by leaders, Chautauqua settled last in the elite field of 10 and powered down the outside to nail Lord Of The Sky in the final bound.
Chautauqua
The two horses currently rated the fastest racehorses in the world, Terravista and Lankan Rupee, were left in his wake in finishing third and ninth respectively.
“Superstar horses do things you don’t expect them to do and he did that today,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said
“He’s just gone up another cog again. He could be anything really.”
Chautauqua is likely to get a chance to add to his Group One tally with John Hawkes nominating the All Aged Stakes on the final day of the Sydney autumn carnival as a target.
Tommy Berry picked up the mount on Chautauqua in a win which could usher in a new era for the young jockey.
A long-time stable jockey for Gai Waterhouse, Berry has adopted a freelance role in the past few months and has become the go-to man for Hawkes Racing.
The new partnership enjoyed its biggest payday since then with Chautauqua’s win in Monday’s $2.5 million race.
It didn’t come without some anxiety.
“I’ve never pulled up so quickly to come back and have a look at the photo,” Berry said of the nose margin in favour of his mount.”
Lord Of The Sky, specked from $41 to start $21, appeared to have the race in the bag before Chautauqua collared him in the final stride.
His trainer Robbie Laing said it proved the horse was a worthy starter in the race.
“I thought he had won,” Laing said.
“He should have run second in the Newmarket and it vindicates the decision to bring him here.”
Joe Pride, trainer of Terravista, felt his horse didn’t run to his full potential.
“I don’t want to make excuses for him on race day but he is better than that,” Pride said.
Lankan Rupee’s trainer Mick Price was also at a loss to explain his horse’s poor performance which followed a similarly lacklustre effort in the Lightning Stakes.
“I thought he was right but you never know until race day,” Price said.
