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Chautauqua wins 2016 Lightning Stakes Group 1 $750,000 at Flemington (VIC), 1000m.
On leaving the barrier, Dwayne Dunn quickly switched Chautauqua across behind the leading group of three on the grandstand side, following a steady early pace (first 200m 24.72). He went closest to the grandstand side rail at the 300m, as the tempo picked up, sprinted brilliantly on passing the 100m and finished best to grab a narrow but excellent win at the post, dashing home his last 600m in a very fast 32.05.
Terravista raced in second place on the grandstand side, dashed to the front at the 100m, looking the winner, but he just failed to hold off the late-closing winner to take a very good second.
Japonisme held the lead on the grandstand side, was challenged at the 200m and battled strongly for a very good third.
Exosphere went to the rails side, tracking the outsider Va Pensiero. He went past that horse at the 300m but was then left in front by himself on that side of the track. He then battled on to finish (1.7 lengths) fourth – perhaps with excuses.
Delectation was third of the four racing on the grandstand side. He was under pressure when the pace picked up on passing the 600m and kept fighting well for a very sound (2 lengths) fifth.
Va Pensiero led on the grandstand side until the 300m but was outclassed from that point and finished (8 lengths) last.