Chautauqua could face Winx in Ryder

Chautauqua’s owner Rupert Legh has flagged a possible clash with Winx in the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill saying the sprinter has lost his dash.

Legh met co-trainer John Hawkes and discussed a number of scenarios for Chautauqua after his first-up third in the Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Hawkes Racing and Legh weren’t disappointed with Chautauqua’s performance and suggested the gelding was now looking for more ground.

Chautauqua will have his next start in either the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on March 4 or the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington a week later.

Weights for the Newmarket will be declared on February 28.

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“We have to make our mind up whether we go to the Newmarket Handicap or do we go to the Canterbury Stakes,” Legh told RSN927.

“The Canterbury Stakes is the likely race but we’ll have a look at the Newmarket Handicap weights and work it out from there.

“The Canterbury Stakes is certainly on the agenda and that will then tell us do we then go for the TJ Smith or do we go to the George Ryder and have a contest with Winx.

“The George Ryder might come a bit soon to take him from 1100 metres to 1500 metres in a short period of time which may be the only thing to deter John from taking him down the George Ryder path.”

Should Chautauqua go to the George Ryder Stakes on March 18 it would likely end the gelding’s chances of a third straight TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on April 1.