Chautauqua pictured at The Valley in 2017 (Image: Racing Photos)
Chautauqua’s next attempt to resurrect his racing career will fittingly be in front of a big crowd with confirmation on Monday that he is to trial between races at Friday night’s Moir Stakes meeting at The Valley.
The likely seven-horse trial is set to take place between races four and five at about 8.20pm.
Racing Victoria announced on Monday that the open trial will be conducted over 1000 metres with a maximum of seven runners.
Nominations for the trial open with Racing Australia at 10am on Monday and will close at 1pm. Should more than seven nominations be received then the seven highest-rated horses will make up the field.
To facilitate the trial, there will be a 45-minute gap between races four and five, with the standard 30-minute gap to apply between all other races.
If Chautauqua passes Friday night’s official trial to the satisfaction of Racing Victoria stewards, the gelding could be immediately cleared to nominate and accept for Victorian races.
Conversely, if he was to fail to jump, his spring campaign and possibly his entire career could be finished.
With early nominations closing on Tuesday for the group 1 Manikato Stakes at the track on October 26 and for the group 1 VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington on November 10, stewards also advise that they have permitted Chautauqua to be nominated for both $1 million races.
His ability to accept for either will be subject to him gaining a clearance to race once again.
Alistair Dwyer, The Valley’s media and communications manager, said the club was thrilled to feature Chautauqua’s last-ditch effort to take part in the spring carnival.
‘’It’s very exciting with the people’s champion, the grey flash being back at The Valley on Friday night albeit for a trial,’’ Dwyer said.
‘’If he jumps, I think the crowd will go absolutely nuts and so we’re really looking forward to it and hopefully it really adds to the night of racing.’’