The very promising Chautauqua appears hard to hold out in the $400,000 Inglis 3YO Guineas at Scone on Saturday.
The Team Hawkes-trained gelding has gotten by on raw ability during his short career to date yet still managed an impressive win in the Hawkesbury Guineas last start.
Chautauqua now finds another winnable assignment on Saturday, the Inglis 3YO Guineas (1400m).
The Encosta De Lago three-year-old lines up in a capacity field for the $400,000 contest.
While the field is big, overall depth in the race appears questionable and Chautauqua can capitalise.
Chautauqua is the second elect on ratings behind the Gai Waterhouse-trained Cosmic Endeavour who returns to her own age after a minor placing in the Darley Crown.
The anticipated race favourite possesses more upside however and just has to improve his racing manners.
Followers of the gelding have gotten used to him ambling out of the barriers and having to do it the hard way.
The same will likely happen again but he should be up to the task.
Late into the second day of the Scone Carnival, the track should play right into Chautauqua’s favour and the grey should be charging home late.
Earlier in the program, The Messina Nymph looks an excellent each way play.
The Messina Nymph is currently second favourite in the Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) after a bold seventh against her older opposition at Hawkesbury a fortnight ago.
Tony McEvoy’s filly was travelling well but hit the wall 200m from home.
She boxed on well for the remainder but dropping back to 1100m appears perfect for the daughter of Commands.
Like the Guineas, there doesn’t appear to be much depth in the Denise’s Joy Stakes despite the allure of black type.
Her Darley Crown seventh is by far the strongest form line brought into this contest and the filly is reunited with jockey Kerrin McEvoy who rode her to victory at Wyong first up.
Expect the filly to jump well and either take up the running or settle handy.
A stakes placegetter as a two-year-old, expect The Messina Nymph to build on that record here.
Therefore, the $7 quote about her is well and truly worth considering.
Another capacity field will contest the Segenhoe Stud Benchmark 75 Handicap (1100m).
Holder Sunset currently holds favouritism for the event after falling just short of a first up win at Canterbury.
She will strip fitter for the outing but lines up in what looks an open contest.
The mare has speed to burn however even 1100m appears to stretch her.
Jockey Josh Parr will likely roll forward on the mare and that final furlong will be agonising for those following her.
Sydney Specials
Banker: R7; #1 Chautauqua @ $3.00
Play Of The Day: R5; #6 The Messina Nymph @ $7.00Lay Of The Day: R2; #14 Holder Sunset @ $3.80
