Chautauqua returned to racing for a scintillating win in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes in February, but his 2016 Newmarket Handicap odds have interestingly continued to drift in the hours leading up to jump this afternoon.
Chautauqua has continued to drift in 2016 Newmarket Handicap betting markets in the hours leading up to jump. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell
Chautauqua has undoubtedly been the stable star for Team Hawkes through recent seasons and has amassed an impressive career record of ten wins and seven minors through only nineteen competitive starts.
Resuming in spring for consecutive wins in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) and Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m), the Encosta De Lago gelding produced arguably a career-best performance to date for success in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), but was unlucky to finish second in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) on November 7th.
Producing an incredible late turn of foot to win the Lightning Stakes late three weeks ago, Chautauqua has been charged with carrying a race-high 58kgs this afternoon but has proven several times he is the country’s best sprinter.
Delectation will relish a return to 1200m this afternoon and will have taken plenty of benefit from his first run this time, but has also drifted in Newmarket Handicap betting markets this week.
Somewhat inconsistent for Chris Waller since first appearing on course competitively in 2013, Delectation undoubtedly found career-best form to date through the recent Spring Carnival; running second in the Gilgai Stakes and fourth in the Group 2 Salinger Stakes (1200m) before beating some of the world’s best sprinters in the Darley Classic.
Champion hoop Damien Oliver takes the ride on Delectation in the Newmarket Handicap this afternoon from barrier 10.
Delectation’s two stable mates; Japonisme and Counterattack have both continued to herald plenty of interest in Newmarket Handicap betting markets and have firmed noticeably as a result.
Japonisme stamped himself as a colt to follow through the early stages of spring but was returned to the paddock for a brief freshen-up after fading heavily in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m).
Resuming for third in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m), the Choisir gelding stunned a talented field as a $21 chance to win the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on October 31st.
Savaging the line for third in the Lightning Stakes first-up, Japonisme will carry only 52.5kgs and will be partnered by Craig Williams.
Counterattack also produced a number of commendable performances through spring and enters the 2016 Newmarket Handicap off the back of a credible run for third in the Group Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) on February 6th.
