We have Chautauqua Stakes tips and predictions for the Group 3 1300m race at Sandown on Saturday.
Chautauqua Stakes odds have framed an even betting market, where punters get value odds for every runner.
There is a lot of class around DESERT LIGHTNING (1), and he is often overlooked in betting markets, which is the case for Saturday’s race.
The 7YO gelding has $2.1 million in prize money, and he won at Group 1 level in Adelaide last preparation when beating Extragalactic, who lines up in the Group 1 Moir Stakes earlier on the card.
There is nothing wrong with his form, and he won his only start at Sandown. Having winning form at this track is always a bonus, and his second-up form consists of three wins from seven starts, so he’s peaking for this run.
Our Chautauqua Stakes tips can’t leave him out at the current odds, which are overly generous. We rated him at around $6 against this field, so take the value available.
| 1. Desert Lightning (1) Scratched: | |||
PERSIAN SPIRIT (4)Â was the early $4.20 favourite before drifting throughout the week, but we expect him to run a good race.
He has a good second-up record of four wins for a win and two placings, and his run for second behind Shadhavar last start is a good form guide, and it’s good enough to win the Chautauqua Stakes.
We’re not sure why he hasn’t attracted attention with punters this week, but he’s a live winning chance, and he’s drawn barrier 4, so he’ll be able to dictate where he sits in the run, which is always a positive.
The $5 is a good price with Chautauqua Stakes odds, so he’s a good addition to picks.
| 6. Persian Spirit (3) J: Harry Coffey 54.5kg 648×2T: Symon Wilde | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 2nd of 11 in the LR Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1200m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Shadhavar carrying 55.5kg at $10. Previously second-up 5th of 16 in a Bm78 at Flemington on October 4 over 1200m, 1.4 len behind De Bergerac carrying 59.5kg at $7. Lovely return and gets in nicely to 1300m. | |||
Double-figure odds for ROYAL INSIGNIA (10) are a good price. The Graeme Begg-trained gelding might not win as often as you would hope, but he is never too far away from producing a winning effort.
His last two placings at Flemington are good form guides for Chautauqua Stakes predictions, and we expect that form to hold up. He finished behind Piastri and Boomtown Boss, and although it’s not top-level form, they were good runs.
He has been primed with a recent trial placing behind some speedy types, and if he brings his A-game to Sandown, he should figure in the first four home.
| 9. Royal Insignia (10) Scratched: | |||
Punters get value odds with our Chautauqua Stakes SRM, which includes our three selected runners.
- Top 3 – No. 1 Desert LightningÂ
- Top 3 – No. 6 Persian Spirit
- Top 5 – No. 9 Royal Insignia
We have Desert Lightning Top 3, Persian Spirit Top 3, and Royal Insignia Top 5, and punters get $15.00 for our three-runner SRM.
Those odds are generous from bookmakers, and although there are many winning chances in the Chautauqua Stakes, we expect our three runners to give punters a sight. They are all paying good odds, and the payouts could be big for the Group 2 race.
| 6. Persian Spirit (3) J: Harry Coffey 54.5kg 648×2T: Symon Wilde | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 2nd of 11 in the LR Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1200m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Shadhavar carrying 55.5kg at $10. Previously second-up 5th of 16 in a Bm78 at Flemington on October 4 over 1200m, 1.4 len behind De Bergerac carrying 59.5kg at $7. Lovely return and gets in nicely to 1300m. | |||
| 1. Desert Lightning (1) Scratched: | |||
| 9. Royal Insignia (10) Scratched: | |||
Latest Chautauqua Stakes 2026 Odds
| 2. Here To Shock (4) J: Daniel Stackhouse 59kg 4270xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation when last of 11 at Rockhampton The Archer Sw+P May 5 over 1300m, 5.5 len behind Yellow Brick carrying 59.5kg at $8.50. Previously first up; third of 9 at Caulfield in the G2 Lawrence Stk August 16 2025 over 1400m, soft track; 2.5 len behind Private Eye with 59kg at $6. Good horse who will give a sight on speed. | |||
| 3. Warnie (6) J: Mark Zahra 58kg 308×4T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after two months ran on strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 11 in the LR Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Shadhavar with 59.5kg at $12. Previously second-up 11th of 15 in the G1 Doomben 10,000 on May 16 over 1200m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Rothfire with 58.5kg at $11. Very good return, hard to hold out. | |||
| 5. Amenable (1) J: Michael Dee 55kg 0x48xT: Grahame Begg | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously first up. Finished off last preparation eighth of 11 at Caulfield in the LR Testa Rossa November 29 over 1400m, soft track; 5.5 len behind Here To Shock carrying 57kg at $8. First up last campaign fourth of 9 at Caulfield in the LR Weekend Hussler October 11 over 1400m, 2.75 len behind Zou Sensation with 60kg at $10. Interesting horse for new yard, best is very competitive. | |||
| 6. Persian Spirit (3) J: Harry Coffey 54.5kg 648×2T: Symon Wilde | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 2nd of 11 in the LR Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1200m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Shadhavar carrying 55.5kg at $10. Previously second-up 5th of 16 in a Bm78 at Flemington on October 4 over 1200m, 1.4 len behind De Bergerac carrying 59.5kg at $7. Lovely return and gets in nicely to 1300m. | |||
| 8. Klabel (7) J: Lachlan Neindorf 54kg 2×946T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly | |||
| Last start 6th of 8 in the G3 Carlyon Stakes at this track on August 22 over 1000m, on a wet track; 5 len behind Cavalry Girl with 58kg at $51. The start before that 4th in a small field in a Bm100 at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1000m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Cavalry Girl carrying 60kg at $12. Others rate better this time. | |||
| 10. Title Fighter (5) J: Damien Thornton 54kg 09094T: Clayton Douglas | |||
| Last start 4th of 10 in a Bm90 at Caulfield on August 15 over 1400m, slow going 1.3 len behind Ten Commandments carrying 60.5kg at $51. The start before that ran last of 9 in the G3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield on July 25 over 1200m, slow going 8 len behind Cosmic Crusader carrying 58.5kg at $71. Outclassed. | |||
| 11. Tennessee Bound (2) J: Jabez Johnstone 54kg x1112T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start made ground from midfield; 2nd of 7 in a Bm88 at this track on August 22 over 1300m, on rain affected going; 2.25 len behind Gold Coast Belle carrying 56.5kg at $2.90. The start before that won by a head at Caulfield on July 25 over 1100m in soft going defeating Behaviour with 54.5kg at $1.45. Down in the weights but this is tougher again, perhaps she’s hit her mark for now. | |||
| 1. Desert Lightning (1) Scratched: | |||
| 4. Abounding (11) Scratched: | |||
| 7. Recon (6) Scratched: | |||
| 9. Royal Insignia (10) Scratched: | |||