Chivalry takes first step on Guineas path

 Promising 3YO Chivalry launched his spring campaign at Caulfield on Saturday with an exciting come-from-behind win in the $150,750 Group Three H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m).

The colt, who had not raced since finishing eighth to Earthquake in the Blue Diamond, had worked and trialled well in the lead up to the race but expectations had been tempered when he fared poorly at the barrier draw.

Jumping from the second widest gate Chivalry was dropped back to the rear by jockey Glen Boss before tracking wide on the home turn where he gave eventual runner up Nordic Empire some three lengths start. He made the bend awkwardly but produced a powerful finishing burst in the straight to claim Nordic Empire on the post by a head with Awesome Rock a half neck away in third.

Chivalry was purchased by trainer Mark Kavanagh at the 2013 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling sale for $280,000 along with Laurence Eales of Eales Racing who raced two other prominent sons of Street Cry in Shocking and Whobegtyou with the stable.

It will be the feat of Whobegotyou, the 2008 Caulfield Guineas winner, that the stable will hope to repeat with Chivalry who has taken his first step on a path towards the million dollar race held at Caulfield on October 11.

The McNeil has been a good springboard with the likes of Starspangledbanner who won the race in 2009 before taking the Guineas and Miss Finland who was victorious in 2006 before winning the fillies equivalent - the One Thousand Guineas. Whobegotyou himself was runner up (to Sugar Babe) in the McNeil before his Guineas triumph.

Chivalry, by Street Cry from the Danehill mare World Peace, was bred by Gerry Harvey who retained a share to race alongside the aforementioned Eales Racing, Isobel Kavanagh, Bill Anderson, Derek Tam, Pinnacle Thoroughbreds and Go U F Racing - a syndicate formed by the Group 1 Racing and Events team.

Chivalry will now head towards the Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes run over 1400 metres at Flemington on September 13.