Aroda (NZ) (Art Major) left his harness racing rivals behind in his track record breaking win in the A$106,000 Redcliffe Gold Cup (2613m) on Saturday night.
With the Queensland Winter Carnival about to heat up, the NZB Standardbred graduate couldn’t have picked a better time to run to his biggest career win.
Aroda was offered by breeder-vendors Paul and Pauline Renwick at the 2021 National Yearling Sale at Christchurch.
The pacer began his career in New Zealand with trainer Darren Keast before he was sold to prominent Queensland owner Greg Mitchell.
Aroda put the 10th and biggest win of his career next to his name with a brilliant performance to win Redcliffe’s biggest race for trainer Grant Dixon and driver Trista Dixon.
The pacer’s track record breaking win was set up by a brilliant beginning, with Trista Dixon taking Aroda straight to the lead.
The pair set a strong tempo in the lead, leaving their gasping for air before the home turn.
The New Zealand bred kicked away in the home straight, going on to score by more than seven metres.
“We were just thrilled,” Mitchell told Mobile Rolling.
“Every time you win a race, whether it is a midweek or a feature race you are always thrilled.”
“But that horse, he had been going really good and we are just rapt for the horse and Grant and Trista who do a power of work.”
Aroda stopped the clock in a 1.58.6 mile rate for his 2613m staying test.
The royally bred pacer is from the standout producer Adore To Our Dreams (NZ) (Christian Cullen).
The mare has produced a host of winners, including the multiple Group One winner Akuta (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
From NZB Standardbred