Resounding pre-post favourite Chautauqua has produced an impressive final straight sprint to claim the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) this afternoon ahead of Katie’s Cove and Barbed.
Chautauqua seizes a thrilling victory in the 2014 Hawkesbury Guineas. Photo by Steve Hart.
Jumping from the gates reasonably, the Encosta De Lago gelding settled nearly five lengths off the pace of early leaders Dubawi Dream, Ryker and Fuerza, who set a fair running tempo rounding the bend.
Sticking to the rails, Chautauqua quickly took up the pace and pulled clear from the main pack, sustaining a strong enough sprint to finish only half a length in the clear.
Trainer John Hawkes was understandably delighted to claim saddle Chautauqua to victory in the 2014 Hawkesbury Guineas, and revealed future plans for the three-year-old following the race.
“He didn’t begin the best, which really wasn’t our plan; we were really hoping to go a bit more forward”
“He’s very patient and he knows what our horses can do.
“He’s a very promising young horse but still does a few things wrong, so when he puts it all together I think he’ll be a lovely horse next season.
“He’s only been lightly raced, we’ve looked after him and he’s a well-bred young horse and the owners have been fantastic; they’ve let us be patient with him.
“If he pulls up good he’ll go to Scone and the Inglis Classic, and then the paddock.”
Jockey James McDonald delivered a typically strong ride on Chautauqua in the 2014 Hawkesbury Guineas, revealing it was not all smooth sailing for the pair.
“He’s got immense ability but just does that much wrong; he gives me such a hard time – misses the start and pulls hard and then runs greenly” McDonald said immediately after dismounting.
“He’s just started his preparation and obviously John will earmark some nice races for him; hopefully he’s another Brisbane Candidate.”
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2014 Hawkesbury Guineas Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | CHAUTAUQUA | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | James McDonald | – | 14 | 56kg | $4F |
| 2 | 15 | KATIE’S COVE | Roger James | Jason Collett | 1.5L | 11 | 54kg | $6.50 |
| 3 | 1 | BARBED | Peter Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 2.8L | 6 | 57kg | $11 |
| 4 | 10 | SPY DECODER (NZ) | Anthony Cummings | Brenton Avdulla | 3L | 3 | 56kg | $7.50 |
| 5 | 9 | RYKER | Gai Waterhouse | Tim Clark | 3.1L | 9 | 56kg | $31 |
| 6 | 14 | NORTHERN GLORY | Gai Waterhouse | Adam Hyeronimus | 4.3L | 7 | 54kg | $4.60 |
| 7 | 11 | DUBAWI DREAM | Scott Singleton | Padraig Beggy | 5.6L | 5 | 56kg | $51 |
| 8 | 4 | ESTONIAN PRINCESS | Scott Aspery | Ms Kathy O’Hara | 6.8L | 4 | 56kg | $17 |
| 9 | 7 | KASIANO LAD | Jason Coyle | Jay Ford | 7.8L | 8 | 56kg | $12 |
| 10 | 6 | SINJOREN | Peter Snowden | Christian Reith | 9L | 13 | 56kg | $31 |
| 11 | 16 | KAYJAY’S JOY | Tony McEvoy | Glyn Schofield | 9.2L | 12 | 54kg | $10 |
| 12 | 13 | KING’S TARIFF | Joan Pracey | Joshua Parr | 9.4L | 2 | 56kg | $91 |
| 13 | 3 | TWILIGHT ROYALE | Bjorn Baker | Jeff Lloyd | 11.1L | 1 | 57kg | $61 |
| 14 | 8 | FUERZA | Bjorn Baker | Damien Thornton (a) | 11.5L | 10 | 56kg | $51 |
