Chautauqua Third On Reappearance

Making his first competitive appearance in almost four months Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta De Lago {Aus}) finished third to Super Cash (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) in the G2 Schweppes Rubiton S. at Caulfield on Saturday. Held up in customary fashion early on by Dwayne Dunn in the 1100m race the grey began to edge closer from halfway but was tapped for toe as the winner and runner up I Am A Star (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) made their play for victory over 200m out. To his credit Chautauqua did stage a late rally and was running on strongly at the line to cut the losing deficit to just under two lengths. Though disappointing at face value connections were far from despondent with the five-time Group 1 winner with a step up in trip certainly on the agenda for the 6-year-old. “He looks to me like he wants further, like 1400 metres would suit. He was low flying over his final 100 metres, I would love to see that sectional,” co trainer Wayne Hawkes told Racing.com. Jockey Dwayne Dunn didn't disagree and added, “He's really running like a 1400-metre horse to a miler. Everything worked out perfectly in the run, he settled down good, took the corner well but couldn't hit top gear until I really hit the wire.” For the winner Super Cash though it was a career best performance and the fact that he had last time Group 1 winner I Am A Star in second gives her display a solid look.