Gordons get the chocolates

Long time harness racing owners Ross and Angela Gordon finally got their Group One win when Got The Chocolates (Art Major) took out the Avon City Ford New Zealand Welcome Stakes at Addington for trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn.

“It’s great for Rosco and Angela. That was their first Group One so that’s a massive thrill with the number of horses they’ve had through the stables,” driver John Dunn said.

When the field left the gate, Got The Chocolates was crossed by Always Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) before taking the lead. From there Dunn set a solid pace before trouble arrived in the form of Rubira and Malakai, and Got The Chocolates was forced to take a back seat.

“There was a bit of gate speed. I fell asleep in front and the boys caught me napping. He (Got The Chocolates) picked the bit up and travelled round the bend.”

Once Dunn pulled him out he powered home to win by three lengths with Malakai finishing second.

The winning time was 2-22.7 with the last 800 metres run in 56.3. The time is a new race record and beats Cosmic Major’s 2021 time of 2-24.7. The New Zealand record of 2-19.2 is held by Mister Smartee.

GOT THE CHOCOLATES REPLAY

This is the first Welcome Stakes to be won by the Gordons. Their previous runners have been The Fed Express (8^th in 2009), Say My Name (4^th in 2014), Heisenberg (3^rd in 2018) and Above N Beyond (4^th in 2019).

The couple have been good buyers at the yearling sales and after generally changing their horses names they entrusted them to Diamond Racing.

Initially named Treadstone, Got The Chocolates was a $90,000 yearling sales purchase and is out of a Bettor’s Delight daughter of Auckland Cup winner Kate’s First.

“He’s come a long way this time in, and things are looking good in New Zealand in the latter half of the season. He’s just got better and better this horse.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink