3 minute read

Star sprinter Chautauqua will have to join some illustrious names to win the Newmarket Handicap after being allocated 58kg for the Group 1 sprint.

The dashing grey was an unsurprising topweight for the Newmarket when weights were released by Racing Victoria on Tuesday.

A brilliant first-up winner of the Lightning Stakes, Chautauqua would have to become just the fourth horse in the past 50 years to carry 58kg or more to victory in the time honoured sprint down the Flemington straight.

Only Hay List (58.5kg, 2012), Black Caviar (58kg, 2011) and Shaftesbury Avenue (58kg, 1991) have carried a similar weight or more to win the race.

The allocation is 2.5kg more than he carried when second behind Brazen Beau in the Newmarket Handicap 12 months ago.

Racing Victoria Handicapper, David Hegan, said Chautauqua was a worthy top weight given his remarkable Group 1 performances in Sydney and Melbourne.

“Chautauqua carried 55.5kg when runner-up in last year’s Newmarket Handicap and rises to 58kg this year after subsequent weight-for-age Group 1 victories in the T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m), Manikato Stakes (1200m) and Black Caviar Lightning (1000m),” Hegan said.

“He will become just the fourth horse in 50 years to win the Newmarket Handicap carrying at least 58kg should he be first to salute the judge, which would be an outstanding achievement.”

Delectation, winner of the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) over the Newmarket course and distance during the Spring Racing Carnival, has been allocated 56kg in his attempt to become the first horse since Black Caviar to complete the Darley Classic-Newmarket Handicap double, while last-start Black Caviar Lightning runner-up Terravista (56.5kg) will carry the same weight as he did in last year’s Newmarket when finishing third.

Saturday’s Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Flamberge has been allocated 56kg while Michael Kent’s progressive four-year-old son of Sebring, Supido, has been handicapped 52kg - the minimum weight for older horses.

Chris Waller’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) winner Japonisme (52.5kg) is one of eight three-year-olds that remain in the hunt for Newmarket Stakes glory, and will look to emulate the deeds of former stablemate Brazen Beau in cementing a trip to the prestigious Royal Ascot Carnival with a second Flemington feature win.

“Three-year-olds boast an imposing recording in the Newmarket Handicap, having won nine of the last 18 editions of the race,” Hegan said.

“Japonisme boasts similar form lines to Chris Waller’s star three-year-old of last season, Brazen Beau, who went on to run a narrow second in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on the final day of the Royal Ascot Carnival after his stunning victory in the Newmarket Handicap.

“Black-type-winning three-year-olds Kinglike, Secret Agenda and Counterattack have all been handicapped on the minimum at 50kg in their respective attempts to join other recent three-year-old winners Shamexpress (2013) and Wanted (2010).”

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained stallion Rich Enuff was withdrawn from the race prior to the release of weights.

Final acceptances for the Lexus Newmarket Handicap will be taken at 9.30am on Wednesday, 9 March with the field to be released shortly thereafter.