Chautauqua will be looking to start the new season as he finished the last – as a Group 1 winner – when he resumes in tonight's Moir Stakes at The Valley.
Trained by Team Hawkes, Chautauqua on Thursday night rounded out a successful 2015/16 season by being named Champion Sprinter at the Australian Horse of the Year awards.
It was due recognition for the world-class racehorse, who won four Group 1 races last season – three in Australia (Manikato Stakes, Lightning Stakes and TJ Smith Stakes) and one in Hong Kong (Chairman's Sprint).
The son of Encosta de Lago joined an esteemed list of Inglis graduates to be crowned Champion Sprinter in Australia including Black Caviar, Starspangledbanner, Takeover Target, Fastnet Rock and Exceed And Excel.
Chautauqua's focus now switches back to the track when he begins arguably the most ambitious period of any horse in Australian racing history.
Barring any unforeseen setbacks, after tonight the world's best sprinter will likely attempt, among other things, multiple trips to Hong Kong, a trip to Royal Ascot, an attempt at an unprecedented three-peat of the TJ Smith Stakes and a possible step up to middle distance races.
Bred by Edwina Throsby's Woodbury Pty Ltd,Chautauqua (Encosta de Lago x Lovely Jubly)was offered at the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where he failed to reach his $400,000 reserve when offered from the Berkeley Park Stud draft.
Chautauqua is a $2.15 favourite with the TAB for the Moir Stakes, ahead of fellow Inglis graduate Extreme Choice at $5.
Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt x Extremely), a $100,000 Inglis Classic graduate, is having his first start since dominating his 2YO season with three wins from four starts, including the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.
Tonight's meeting at The Valley will also see the second heat of the Inglis 55 Second Challenge.
Heat 1 was claimed by Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra's Rock 'N' Gold in a time of 56.47 seconds.
The trainer/s of the horse with the fastest time of the 16 heats will win a $50,000 credit at an Inglis Sale of their choice in 2017.
Tonight's heat is race 4 at 8pm.
Inglis Release
