Amenable looks to end winless streak in Chautauqua Stakes

Amenable is aiming to break a considerable drought without a win as he makes his debut for Grahame Begg at Sandown.

The gelding, previously trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, is set to compete in the Group 3 Chautauqua Stakes over 1300 metres on Saturday, having been sidelined for the past eleven months.

His last victory was at Caulfield over 1400m in August 2023. This followed his maiden win over 1300m at Sandown back in March 2022.

The horse showed significant potential for Price and Kent Jnr, featuring in top-tier races such as the Caulfield Guineas, Australian Guineas, Memsie Stakes, Toorak Handicap, George Ryder Stakes, and Stradbroke Handicap. He also achieved a second place in the All-Aged Stakes, all at Group 1 level.

However, across 24 starts, he has only managed two wins and six placings.

Amenable's last race was an eighth-place finish at Caulfield in November, after which he moved stables for this racing season.

He has undergone two jump-outs to build fitness for his Saturday return, finishing third in his most recent trial on August 19 behind Oliveanotherday.

"We gave him a long spell," Begg said.

"He's had a few issues, but he has prepped up well and he ran third in a trial at Caulfield Heath the other day which was a very good trial.

"He's going well."

Begg mentioned that the stable has managed Amenable's workload carefully, especially considering his age.

"We've not worked him as hard being an older horse, keeping him happy within himself," Begg added.

"He loves wet ground and I've kept him on the grass for galloping rather than working him on synthetics where they can jar up.

"It's a nice kick-off being 1300 and any give in the ground won't do his chances any harm."

Grahame Begg also has Royal Insignia nominated for Saturday's race, but his participation hinges on the track conditions.

Royal Insignia's last run at Sandown was a victory in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) in January 2025. More recently, he finished second in the Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on August 1.

The sprinter also had a jump-out at Caulfield Heath, coming third on August 19.

"He's won at the track but needs good ground," Begg noted.

"The 1300 metres won't worry him, but I won't run him if it's too wet, so he might have to wait for the Bobbie Lewis Quality (at Flemington) on Saturday week."

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