Boban and Chautauqua Square Off in the Darley Classic

The Chris Waller-trained Boban (Aus) (Bernardini) is taking dead aim on a sixth top level win in Saturday’s G1 Darley Classic over 1200 meters at Flemington. The hardy 6-year-old has experienced a bit of an up-and-down year so far, beginning with a seventh in the G2 Apollo S. this Valentine’s day at Randwick followed by a 14-for-15 effort going 1600 meters in the G1 Chipping Norton S. at Warwick Farm on 14 days rest. He claimed his fourth Group 1 in the Doomben 10,000 this May and was just barely beaten by the reopposing dual Group 1 heroine Srikandi (Aus) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Stradbroke H. to end his Australian autumn. Victorious in the G1 Memsie S. over 1400 meters at Caulfield when resuming Aug. 29, Boban reported home fourth in the G1 Makybe Diva S. going 1600 meters over this course last out Sept. 12.

Boban faces a tough task however, as grey speedster Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), who hails from the Team Hawkes barn of Michale, Wayne and John Hawkes, is looking for his fourth win in as many starts during the Australian spring and is favored on the morning line at 3-2. He signed off with a third to subsequent Australian Horse of the Year Dissident (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) in the G1 Schweppes All-Aged S. Apr. 18, but upon resuming has been iron-clad, rattling off wins in the G2 Mitty’s McEwen S. at Moonee Valley defeating bridesmaid Flamberge (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) Sept. 5, and the Oct. 4 G2 Gilgai S. over course-and-distance with Delectation (Aus) (Shamardal) second. Chautauqua’s final start before lining up this coming Saturday was a terrific performance when triumphant in the G1 Manikato S. with Srikandi completing the exacta at Moonee Valley Oct. 23.

Terravista (Aus) (Captain Rio {GB}) is looking to score back-to-back wins in the Darley Classic, having defeated last year’s runner-up Chautauqua with fourth-place finisher Buffering (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}), who won the G1 Moir S. Oct. 2, also back for another crack.