World’s Best Sprinter?

The victory of Chautauqua in Friday night’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes had many claiming the son of Encosta de Lago as the world’s best sprinter, and at this stage of his career, the grey appears to be getting better, so if he is not yet the world’s best, surely it won’t be long until he claims that title. Settling last in the field, Chautauqua appeared in need of some luck before the home turn, but jockey Tommy Berry urged the grey towards the outside, bursting through a gap inside of Rebel Dane to charge down the outside. Appearing to hit the front in a matter of strides, the Hawkes Racing-trained Chautauqua pulled away for an outstanding victory. Encosta de Lago’s son Chautauqua wins the Group 1 Manikato StakesPassed in shy of his $400,000 reserve at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale when offered through the draft of Neale Bruce’s Berkeley Park Stud, Chautauqua’s second Group 1 victory took his earnings to over $3.2 million. Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes didn’t elude to feeling concern during the run, saying “They certainly made him earn it but that’s what you expect when you’re the hot-pot.” “When he came to the corner and pushed out it was a fantastic feeling that’s for sure! It’s easy to stand here and gloat after the race but everyone knows he’s good and the only times he’s been beaten, to be fair, have been bad luck,” said Hawkes. “To win a Group 1 tonight, he’s the best horse we’ve got,” Hawkes said. Out of the top three on only two occasions from 17 career starts, Chautauqua is now likely to head to the Group 1 Darley Classic before a trip to Hong Kong for the Group 1 International Sprint (1200m). Out of the dual Group 1-winning Lion Hunter mare Lovely Jubly, Chautauqua is a half-brother to the Group 3 winner London Lolly (Charge Forward).