By Dave Di Somma, Harness New Desk
Unbeaten this campaign, things are about to go up a level for pacing star Got The Chocolates.The Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained four-year-old racked up his 12th win in 27 starts when he outgunned Harrison John and Jumal in the Shenan De Silva at Corcoran French Mobile Pace at Addington on Friday night to win easily by four lengths. After his epic battles with Marketplace last year he has now started 2026 with three straight wins.
“We are really pleased with him he’s got a wee bit stronger and filled out a bit, it’s great,” says Ross Gordon, who races the Art Major gelding with wife Angela.
But he is yet to test himself against the country’s top-liners. That is all about to change.
“He flies up to Auckland on the (April) 21st.”
The plan is for Got The Chocolates to line up in the Group 1 $100,000 Taylor Mile at Alexandra Park on April 24 where he is likely to run into dual New Zealand Cup winner Swayzee, Akuta, We Walk By Faith and co. So far no decisions have been made on the Roy Purdon Memorial (May 1) and the New Zealand Messenger (May 8), the two other big Group 1s for the pacers as part of the Northern Lights Autumn Carnival.
“We know he’s got a massive amount of ability,” says Ross Gordon, “but you never really know until they step up against the really good ones – open class racing is a different kind of pressure.”
In saying that Got The Chocolates has been producing top tier performances and times including his new New Zealand record of 3:08.7 for the 2600m (stand) at Addington on March 20. On Friday at Addington Tim Williams subbed in for John Dunn, who was on duty at Cambridge’s Night of Champions. The combo kept out of the early burn as Hadron Collider and Jumal came out firing and then slotted into the one-one behind Jumal before leaving his rivals in his wake. He ran his last 800 in 56.3, the last 400 in 28.7.
As Got The Chocolates prepares to take on the big bangers up north Marketplace returns to the trials tomorrow (Tuesday) at Ashburton with a likely target being the Group 2 Superstars Championship at Addington on May 8.For harness racing fans around the country the next instalment of their rivalry can’t come soon enough.