Ladbrokes Cox Plate favourite Winx and the enigmatic Chautauqua are set to face off in a 900m barrier trial at Rosehill on Monday.
Winx, above, will face off with Chautauqua in a Rosehill barrier trial. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Both super stars are on different 2018 Spring Carnival course with Winx aiming at a fourth straight win in the Group 1 $5m Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 27 while Chautauqua will need to pass his barrier test if he is to be selected for a slot in the 13m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13.
Their trial is the first of sixteen heats on the day and Winx’s stablemates Unforgotten and D’Argento are listed to go around while Chautauqua will be Team Hawkes only runner in that heat.
The Chris Waller trained Rosehill Guineas winner D’Argento and Australian Oaks winner Unforgotten are also entered in an 800m barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Friday.
Waller is setting Winx for a return to the race track in the race that is named after her, the Group 1 $500,000 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 18 while Chautauqua is at the half way mark of making his return to the track after successfully jumping from the barrier in a jump out at Flemington last Friday.
The Hawkes trained Chautauqua had been barred from racing after failing to leave the barriers on four occasions during his 2018 Autumn Carnival preparation and was required by New South Wales stewards to pass two barrier tests before being allowed to race again.
Hong Kong based jockey Tommy Berry, who has partnered the grey flash to five Group 1 victories, made a special trip to Melbourne to try and coax Chautauqua out the barriers and the reunion was successful.
“Probably the best he’s ever jumped for me,” Berry said.
If the grey flash leaves the barriers okay again and gets the green light to resume his racing career, he will be set for a first up run in the Group 2 $200,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 4.
Field for Heat 1 (8.15am) at the Rosehill barrier trials on Monday, July 23, 2018
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 111x55462x | ACE HIGH | David Payne |
| 2 | 3231x7644x | CHAUTAUQUA | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes |
| 3 | 2511x7389x | CLASSIC UNIFORM | Gary Moore |
| 4 | 11x13714x | D’ARGENTO | Chris Waller |
| 5 | 6x9272123x | DOTHRAKI | Peter & Paul Snowden |
| 6 | 320x11130x | KEMENTARI | James Cummings |
| 7 | 1x10x1085x | SHE WILL REIGN | Gary Portelli |
| 8 | 400x78056x | TAKEDOWN | Gary Moore |
| 9 | x111x0121x | UNFORGOTTEN | Chris Waller |
| 10 | 11111x111x | WINX | Chris Waller |
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