Chautauqua in training for spring return
Three-time TJ Smith winner Chautauqua is back in work preparing for a return to the racetrack.
Chautauqua hasn’t raced since finishing fourth behind Redzel in the Darley Classic at Flemington last November and had is autumn campaign halted after refusing to leave the barriers in barrier trials
A ban was placed on Chautauqua after he failed to leave the barriers with other runners at Rosehill on March 8 and again at Cranbourne 11 days later.
Following his trip to Cranbourne, Hawkes Racing decided to pull up stumps and give the gelding a break in a bid to get his mind right.
Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes says it will be all up to the rising eight-year-old.
“He be on the water walker for a couple of weeks and we’ll just poke around with him as per normal,” Hawkes said.
“We’ll give him a normal preparation and he’s either going to come up and jump out or he’s not.
“There’s no grey area with him, it’s black and white.
“He’s in great order and everyone’s happy with him.”
Chautauqua is the winner of 13 of his 32 starts and has collected more than $8.8 million in prize money.