Fortunately Chautauqua has a bold navigator in Tommy Berry on what could be stormy waters in Saturday's All Aged Stakes at Royal Randwick. Map makers, charting the right path, are as prevalent in modern racing as they were in the Captain Cook era, when a quill and ink was used, whereas Berry brings instinct and a deft touch into play.
Launching from the one gate presents a problem for Chautauqua in the weight-for-age sprint, a fitting major for the last day of the autumn carnival, which has been successful despite inclement weather becoming very much a national joke and contributing to the course propers in general being held to ridicule.
"You-beaut systems that drain too quick/too slow, cambers where run-off naturally heads to the inside rail (water does run downhill, after all), beautifully draining sub-soils that are now clogged up with every type of 'ayr' surface on the planet, curators that learned their trade on golf courses, computer-operated watering, penetrometers and overseas track ratings. Welcome to the modern racetrack folks," Party Arty opined on Racenet.
But Randwick has lost another ray of sunshine with the departure of Lynell Peck, who put true meaning into the word hospitality at headquarters for more than 20 years. Despite her executive position, Lynell was only too happy to pick up empty glasses after the last event and hopefully the boom colt responsible for the situation will fill this role.
Unlike officials, horses don't let the local scene down and while the recent international flavour has diminished, Chautauqua is world class and would be a worthy visitor to Royal Ascot with Brazen Beau.
Still, to what degree will circumstances, particularly the barrier and tempo come into play with Chautauqua? Over the past decade, seven of the All Aged winners have come from gates six, seven and eight. The only one from the rails was Atlantic Jewel (2012), starting at 8-1 on ($1.12). She could take up a position while Chautauqua going back in the field poses another hurdle: will he get another tempo to suit his late charge?
Most grandstand tacticians figure Wandjina will have a reasonably comfortable lead. Dissident and Laser Hawk have the attributes to be pests but that is unlikely as it would hinder their own prospects.
For instance, on Dissident Jim Cassidy, a jockey with the Matthew Flinders (look at history books, not Miller's Guide for his form) expertise, will come at the right time for his mount, not necessarily to suit Wandjina or Chautauqua.
Also how will the conditions be playing by the All Aged? Last Saturday (rail out six metres) being on the fence and handy to the pace was an advantage but the rail on Saturday goes out eight metres. On the corresponding day last year, off the fence was an advantage as the program progressed, but I'm confident Berry will find the right passage.
I'm tipping Chautauqua to beat Scissor Kick, which will be closer to Wandjina and has won on the heavy, the query with Pasadena Girl, favourite for the other feature, the Champagne Stakes. Pasadena Girl came from the rear when a strong fourth to Pride Of Dubai in the 1400-metre Sires Produce at Randwick on April 6, but did not appear comfortable early on a soft seven. The filly was still responsible for a bold performance in a sprint that has produced eight out of the past nine Champagne winners.
Odyssey Moon, runner-up in the Sires Produce, beat Pasadena Girl home but the 1600m should better favour the filly, having only her fourth start.
Beware of improvement from Tarquin, fifth in the Sires Produce, but another who promises to get better over longer journeys. And the heavier the better for outsider Singing Flame in the JRA Plate and by the final race, the TAB Reward, a chopped up surface won't come against Burbero, who faces a considerable class drop.
