Chautauqua Stakes: Persian Spirit's second chance after postponement
The postponement of Saturday's Chautauqua Stakes, initially thought to be a lost opportunity for Persian Spirit, was not necessarily viewed as such by his trainer Symon Wilde.
Following a significant downpour before the 1300-metre Group 3 race, the Cable Bay gelding had been heavily backed into $2.40. However, lightning and heavy rain led to the premature abandonment of the meeting.
While Persian Spirit boasts a win on Heavy tracks and was considered advantaged by the wet conditions, Wilde's assessment differed from the punters.
"I actually prefer him on dry ground because he's more dynamic," Wilde explained.
"You'd never scratch him on a wet track, but I actually think he's at his absolute best on a (Soft) 5 or a 6."
The Chautauqua Stakes has been rescheduled for this Wednesday at Sandown, along with the 1600m benchmark 84 race that was also postponed from Saturday.
Persian Spirit is again installed as the favourite for the rescheduled event at $3.20, with Tennessee Bound at $4.20 and Warnie a $5 chance.
Sandown was rated a Heavy 8 on Monday morning, but Melbourne is expected to experience sunny conditions on Monday and Tuesday before a chance of showers on Wednesday.
The rescheduling necessitates two trips to Sandown from Warrnambool within a five-day span for Persian Spirit, but Wilde indicated that the initial journey had not appeared to take a toll.
"We gave him a little bit of evens on the grass this morning at Warrnambool and he's all set to go," Wilde reported on Monday morning.
"He was out in his paddock yesterday, he'll go the beach tomorrow and he's eating up well.
"It doesn't look like it's knocked him around at all."
Wilde's original strategy involved targeting the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) the week after the Chautauqua Stakes. He stated that despite the inconvenient new schedule, he would likely maintain the Group 1 plan if the horse performed admirably on Wednesday.
Persian Spirit's return to racing saw him finish a close second to Shadhavar in the Listed Regal Roller (1200m) at Caulfield on August 15.
"That was always the aim, to be third up in the Rupert Clarke," Wilde confirmed.
"We planned to be first-up then three weeks then two weeks into the 1400 metres.
"It's definitely not ideal but if he happened to win on Wednesday we'll probably stick to that plan."
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