The lightly-raced Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes-trained grey Chautauqua is currently leading the Hawkesbury Guineas 2014 betting markets for this weekend’s clash.

The Encosta De Lago gelding pays $4.20 through Ladbrokes.com.au to win the $150,000 Group 3 Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) on Hawkesbury Gold Cup Day this Saturday, despite having drawn the far outside barrier.

Originally the Hawkesbury Guineas field featured a full 16 starters.

Two early scratchings however, #2 Beauty’s Beast and #12 Choice Larga, have left just 14 chances in the race due to jump at 4:00pm (AEST).

Of those it is Chautauqua leading the markets, James McDonald booked to ride the up-and-comer for the third time this season.

Having just their sixth start here, Chautauqua won first-up at Geelong in March taking out an 1130m sprint by four and a half lengths.

They went to Gosford next for the Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) run on a Heavy (10) track and handled the conditions well to run second behind In Cahoots.

Their latest effort saw them step up to Group 2 company at Randwick for the Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) on April 19.

They missed the kick however and were forced back, making up late ground after a bad run on a poor part of the track to eventually cross four lengths away seventh behind Sidestep.

They’re down in class again for this, go up to 1400m for the first time and are tipped to relish both.

Close second pick at $5 is then the Hawkesbury Guineas betting market mover Northern Glory.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Northern Meteor filly has run top four in all three of her Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival assignments this time in and looks ready to make one her own.

Three back she ran third to subsequent Royal Sovereign Stakes winner Sidestep in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) before a fourth to Politeness in the Group 3 PJ Bell over the same distance at Randwick.

Their last run was also at Randwick just last Saturday, Northern Glory finishing a mere nose away second to Estonian Princess in a devastatingly close finish in the Group 3 James Carr Stakes (1400m).

She’s on the short back-up then for this but is proven against better horses and has form over the distance so is definitely in with a shot.

The other single figure Hawkesbury Guineas hopes this year are then Katie’s Cove ($6.50) after her third on the trot and Barbed ($7.50).

Drawn out wide in barrier 13, now into 11, Kiwi raider Katie’s Cove is prepared by Roger James and makes her Australian debut here.

The three-year-old daughter of Zabeel is bred to stay and proved that over the 1400m last time out when winning by a big four length margin back home on ANZAC Day.

Barbed then represents trainer Peter Snowden, the Canny Lad gelding last seen running seventh in the Gosford Guineas where the Heavy track didn’t suit.

Others that could prove great value in the Hawkesbury Guineas on the day then include the Anthony Cummings-trained Spy Decoder ($10) racing for just the fifth time having already won two of their starts, Snitzel filly Kayjay’s Joy ($10) who has won two from three so far and Estonian Princess ($11).

Another daughter of boom sire Snitzel, the Scott Aspery-trained Estonian Princess caught the eye last weekend with her nice win in the Group 3 Carr Stakes defeating Northern Glory and Lady Lakshmi.

The complete Hawkesbury Guineas 2014 odds can be found below.

So when you’re ready to get in on the weekend’s betting action click on one of the links and head to Ladbrokes.com.au where you’ll always get the best price on the Aussie and international racing!

2014 Hawkesbury Guineas Odds