James McDonald produced a gem of a ride to win the Hawkesbury Guineas aboard Chautauqua.
The well-supported favourite Chautauqua missed the start and was last in the 14-horse field, then raced ungenerously in stages as the pace slacked.
James McDonald kept him on the rails and saved considerable ground at the home turn. He burst through along the rails at the 200m, hit the lead at the 100m and then drew clear to win quite comfortably by a length and a half. He is a very talented, but green three-year-old and it was an outstanding ride by the highly talented McDonald.
NZ filly Katie’s Cove also missed the start, and then raced in 11th place on the rails. She improved between runners on straightening and angled into the clear to challenge at the 100m. She then fought gamely for a smart second at her Australian debut.
Barbed had good run, fourth between runners. He got into the clear on turning for home, put in a run at the 200m and then battled on quite well for third.
Spy Decoder was midfield, about tenth, between runners. He got a run in the centre at the 200m and ran on fairly well to take fourth, beaten three lengths. Ryker raced outside the leader and held on for (3.1 lengths) fifth.
