Chautauqua turned in a barn storming performance to blitz his rivals in winning the Group 2 McEwan Stakes at Moonee Valley.

He was near last with plenty of runners ahead of him, even on the home turn his chances of winning looked pretty forlorn.

They broke the minute for the 1000 metres and he is back as good as ever, the spring is shining brightly for him.

He is already a Group 1 success having won the T J Smith at Randwick, and was not disgraced running third to Dissident in the All Aged Stakes.

The Moir Stakes was to be on his agenda; however, the distance has now been altered from 1200 to 1000 metres, which is now not suitable for him since the change in distance of the race.

While there will now need to be a change in plans, it will not worry the Hawkes that much, it is easier to find races for good horses than poor ones.

There is no mention as yet about the $1 million Manikato Stakes, on Cox Plate eve, over 1200 metres.

Chautauqua - A real flying machine