Chautauqua Increasingly Likely for Hong Kong

Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), narrowly defeated in the G1 Darley Classic up the Flemington straight Nov. 7, is now rated a ‘90/10′ chance to make the trip to Hong Kong for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin Dec. 13, reports Racing.com.

Though the gray has pulled up well and has done nothing wrong since the Darley Classic, co-trainer Wayne Hawkes has stopped short of confirming the 5-year-old for the 1200-meter race, but has upgraded his chances of participation, providing he holds together over the next two weeks.

“One thing we can often be criticised for is saying, ‘We’re not sure, we don’t know’,” Hawkes told Racing.com’s Racing Ahead on RSN. “We want to go and win. We want to tick every box. We’re giving up Newmarket Handicaps, Lightning Stakes’ … they’re big calls and you’re trying to make the right decisions.”

A close second to Terravista (Aus) (Captain Rio {GB}) in the 2014 Darley Classic, Chautauqua registered a maiden Group 1 success in the T. J. Smith S. at The Championships this past April. After besting Delectation (Aus) (Shamardal) in the G2 Gilgai S. at Flemington Oct. 4, he raced home a two-length winner of the G1 Manikato S. at Moonee Valley Oct. 23 prior to the Darley Classic, where he was overtaken by Delectation in the shadow of the post over ground that may have been softer than he prefers.

Though Australian-bred horses won each running of the Hong Kong Sprint between 1999 and 2009, no Australian-trained runner has annexed the event since Falvelon (Aus) won back-to-back in 2000 and 2001.