It’s not often you can travel a horse and everything goes pretty much according according to plan, bar a few butterflies in the run and the horse pulling a couple of shoes just prior to the race. However butterflies in the run are the norm for Chautauqua, his run on late coming style means even his most ardent supporters have a few moments of doubt.

Ever since his arrival at the Sha Tin quarantine barn everything has gone right for Team Hawkes. Chautauqua certainly has his quirks, but he’s been the same everyday in track work, always appearing as if he was at home. Even the weather has obliged with the track not being as firm as it can be.

The race panned out as expected with Chautauqua dropping out the back, perhaps a bit further than expected. He did drop the bit at the 600m mark, which caused a few moments of anguish. Upon straightening Zac Purton tried to steal a break with Aerovelocity, however his condition soon gave out. For a brief moment it appeared that outsider Strathmore and Neil Callan might steal a break, however second favourite Lucky Bubbles and Brett Prebble soon emerged.

The BOOM, Chautauqua came from the clouds to set the Sha Tin crowd alight. Running over the top of them in his inimitable style he won comfortably in the end, with Tommy Berry up in the irons celebrating.

“They went very quick,” Berry said after Buffering and Peniaphobia sizzled through the first 800 metres in 45.49s. “I wasn’t worried that we were so far back given the speed but I was concerned that he came off the bit earlier than he usually does.

“But he overcame that because he’s a very special horse. At the 250 (metres), I took a deep breath. I was within striking distance of the leaders and I didn’t want to be too anxious. I just let him go through his gears and you saw what he can do,” he said.

Second place Lucky Bubbles confirmed his promise and has all before him as he is still only four. Next season he looks set to be the star local sprint hope. Prebble said of the winner.“Who brought that rocket here? I gave my horse a peach of a ride and one still sailed past him. Lucky Bubbles ran so well and he’s going to keep getting better you’d think.”

Unfortunately Buffering has pulled up lame and was noted to have blood in his trachea. It may be the end of the road for him depending on the seriousness of the issue.

Relive the race here: