MY CALL: THE CHAUTAUQUA SIDESHOW! RACING NSW STEWARDS REACH A SENSIBLE, PRELIMINARY DECISION
By David Fowler | Tuesday, August 28, 2018
David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.
Racing NSW stewards acted promptly and sensibly with their "preliminary" decision to refuse Chautauqua's nominations from barrier trials and registered races,
As I described it on Radio TAB's Press Room program yesterday, the "sideshow" was fast overshadowing what was all good about the the brilliant-finishing grey.
I note with interest the term "preliminary" and that Chautauqua's owners were preparing to make submissions to stewards today (Tuesday).
I would hope that both points might mean revisiting his barrier behaviour at sometime down the track.
Connections would be pushing the envelope a little too far if they were to try and have the stipes' decision reversed.
As I've said on numerous occasions no money has been lost in this almost year long predicament but enough is enough.
The sideshow has had it's season.
But that's no reason for Chautauqua and Team Hawkes to persevere with some private bonding.
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Winx and Black Caviar became public property with their champion racetrack qualities.
It extended past the raceday experience and their every move was monitored on the front and back of our daily metropolitan papers.
And while that has been primarily adulation, it's a different story with Chautauqua.
His barrier woes have polarised opinion, although it would be fair to say the "retire him" argument out weighed "allow him to race "
Some of Chautauqua's connections were dismissive of those who voiced their opinion that he should be retired.
And while I have sided with the connections up until the weekend, they have to be mindful you have to take the bad publicity on the chin while basking in the glory of the good.
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Ubet market framers reacted too hastily in slashing Ryan Maloney's price to $2 to win this season's Queensland metro jockeys' premiership.
We're only one month into the season and it's not like there isn't any quality opposition.
Who knows when Jeff Lloyd will retire? Are Jim Byrne, Matt McGillivray or Jimmy Orman not riding this season?
Maloney has made an immediate impact. His riding treble at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday illustrated that clearly.
However his weight could be an ongoing issue.
It's worth pointing out that he couldn't make 57kg in the second race at the Gold Coast last Wednesday.
Amazingly, he rode 55kg to win the fifth race only two hours later.
Ring me Ryan! Please!
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The $40,000 raised for Drought Angels at a racing function on the weekend was a fantastic result,
I'm not telling tales out of school to say that $10,000 was being considered as a good result prior to the big day.
Almost 300 people packed the Champions Bar at Doomben.
Significantly, it was an outstanding cross section of age and racing pursuits.
Emma Smith, Desleigh Forster and BRC, take a bow.
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