History says Dubai raiders bound for failure

Racing bad boy Chautauqua has an unquestionable admiration by racing fans around the country, arguably his best achievement taking out the 2016 Hong Kong Chairman’s Sprint at Sha Tin Racecourse. Since his overseas success however, the Grey Flash won just 1 race, an all too common statistic for Australian horses, which threatens the immediate future of Music Magnate, Faatinah and Illustrious Lad.

3-time TJ Smith winner Chautauqua was odds-on favourite for both the Group 1 Moir Stakes as well as the Manikato Stakes immediately following his return to Australian soil, failing to place in both and in fact finishing 7th of 10 in the latter. Alarmingly for our most recent overseas contenders, the ill-fated Chautauqua isn’t the only one to suffer a fall from grace after taking on the world’s best.

The likes of Buffering, Ortensia, Lucia Valentina, Shamal wind and Brazen Beau all come to mind when overseas assignments are mentioned, the latter 2 retired immediately following their trips abroad with Buffering, Ortensia and Lucia Valentina winning just 1 race between them after returning to Australia.

With connections of Winx perhaps breathing a sigh of relief when it was announced she would be hunting a 4th consecutive Cox Plate victory as opposed to a trip to Royal Ascot, the news isn’t all bad for every runner who’s been tested abroad, with the record dramatically improved by champion Black Caviar who remained unbeaten.

Though only having 3 starts back on home soil following her Royal Ascot win in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes, Black Caviar returned to break the Flemington 1000m track record her first start back, bucking the trend of poor performances by most others.

It will be a tough road ahead to say the least for the likes of Music Magnate, Faatinah and Illustrious Lad who could only manage 11th, 8th and 5th respectively in Dubai.

Have Your Say 🗣: Will our horses featured overseas bounce back or flop upon return? Comment below