Chautauqua makes trip to Bendigo with another win in sight on Saturday

Racehorse Chautauqua is not only known for his six wins in group one races over the years, but also her end-of-career refusal to leave his gate - leading to his retirement in 2018.

In the last few years, owner Casey Bruce has taken the sassy grey thoroughbred and made it her mission to keep her horse feeling loved and successful.

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"He's been in my care for two years and since then COVID-19 has been around," she said.

"But I've been working with him and aimed him for this particular event in Bendigo because it's such a high-profile event.

"It's been two years in the making for me to get him here, with a few shows in between to get him out of race mode and into the new environment of competing, but he's ready to see if we can get another win or two out of him."

Ms Bruce said there is never a dull moment with her four-legged friend.

"I always say Chautauqua is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you'll get with him," she said.

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"But I think all the racing people love him because at one stage he was the fastest sprinter in the racing world and everyone else loves him because he was the one that turned around and said no.

"So I think there's a lot to love there for everyone."

Ms Bruce said the team had a packed day planned at the Bendigo Showgrounds on Saturday.

"We're coming up to Bendigo to complete in a few classes, so from 8.30 in the morning with a led class and then onto my personal favourite, the fashions on the field at 10," she said.

"We've then got a bit of a gap before we do a ring rising star class at 2.30pm, 3.40pm he's on again and his last class will hopefully be a championship class depending if he's behaved well throughout the day."

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But she said there is plenty of time for Chautauqua's fans to come and meet their idol.

"I always allow people to come over and meet him if they're around," she said.

"They can take photos and give him a pat, but he really loves carrots so he would be your best friend forever if you give him one.

"He has such a beautiful nature and I want everyone to experience that."

Ms Bruce will have Chautauqua in the stables at the Bendigo Showgrounds all day on Saturday for anyone who wants to meet him.

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