Chautauqua spins the wheels at Sha Tin

Paul Joice - Friday April 22

Michael Hawkes was happy with what he saw when Australia's number one sprinter strutted his stuff at a rain-sodden Sha Tin on Friday morning.

Chautauqua gets a feel for the Sha Tin turf course ahead of his Group I bid on May 1. Photo: HKJC

Chautauqua arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday for his planned assault on the Group I Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) on May 1, and did his first piece of serious work on the turf course.

The four-time Group I winning grey gelding covered 1200m in 1.23.60, working home his final 400m in 22.40 seconds.

"All good," said Michael Hawkes, who trains in partnership with brother Wayne and father John.

Hawkes also made comment regarding the racing pattern of the stable star, which is to get back and power over the top of rivals.

"A good, even pace would be ideal but he's shown he can run his closing splits off a fast or slow pace," Hawkes said.

Tommy Berry was yesterday announced as the jockey for Chautauqua on Sunday week, the pair combining for a scintillating victory in the Group I TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 2.

Chautauqua is currently the $2.25 favourite with Sportsbet for the Chairman's Sprint Prize.

Advertisment

More Reading...

Lassified Adds to Inglis Festive Cheer

The Listed Wellesley Stakes winner Lassified (Stay Inside) is the ninth individual Stakes-winning Inglis graduate across Australasia over the festive period.

Twin Hills Magic Quality – First Yearlings for Daumier

The undulating terrain at Cootamundra in the south west of NSW is prime horse country with the Twin Hills Stud nursery producing some outstanding gallopers in 2025 and they offer a diverse draft of 16 for Magic Millions including five by Blue Diamond winner Daumier.

Magic Millions Cheer After Placid Pearl Wins For D’Argento

With Bowness Stud’s draft of 20 yearlings departing the farm on Sunday night to head north, the Randwick victory of Matt Smith’s Placid Pearl shines a spotlight on the eight yearlings they’re offering by their resident G1-winning So You Think stallion D’Argento.

Ole Kirk MM Gallery

Vinery Stud’s Ole Kirk looks sure to be a long term resident at the pointy end with early success and big books coming, so let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Magic Millions this year.

Sebring Sun Debut winner for Newnham

Former Randwick trainer Mark Newnham extended his lead at the top of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship at sha tin on Sunday when Supreme Sea made a winning debut over 1200m.

Pedigree Pointers – Karaka 2026

The 2026 NZB National Yearling Sales (January 25-29) offers buyers the cream of the New Zealand crop and in the weeks leading up to the sale we’ll go looking for pedigrees of interest for a myriad of reasons.

Sword of State Kiwi Quinella

Warwoven was not the only 2YO winner for Sword of State on Saturday and it will now be an anxious few weeks for the connections of State The Obvious as they wait to see if their filly makes the cut for the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 24.

New Zoustar SW in Hong Kong

After four days of racing in 2026, Zoustar already has two stakes-winners on the board with his Northern Hemisphere bred son Stellar Express (FR) taking out the Group III Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Catalogue Updates This Week - Stakes Races and Warwoven

The last few days of racing has seen plenty of black type updates including three new stakes winners into pedigrees and another four new stakes placed.

Sires With Winners - Sunday January 4

Here is the full list of 55 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.