For many of us that have followed racing for what seems a lifetime, we have been fortunate to witness some of racing’s great head-to-head battles. In the 1980’s there were many great battles at Addington between the juvenile stars Tuapeka Knight and Starship, the latter running second on eight occasions in these head-to-head matchups. There was also the race considered the greatest of all-time, the Moonee Valley clash between Bonecrusher and Our Waverley Star, where the former got a late knockout decision to “race into equine immortality.”
Rarely though have we seen a dominant champion knocked off his throne after holding the title for so long. Even now, it is still too early to say that the reign of Marketplace is over, his fighting qualities again evident yesterday. But what we can say is that there is well and truly a new champion in the Diamond Racing Stables, the win of Got The Chocolates yesterday proving for now anyway, that he is the country’s top three-year-old. He will start a dominant favourite, regardless of the draw in next week’s New Zealand Derby.
In a day packed with features, it was the New Zealand Free-For-Alls for the trotters and pacers that were meant to dominate the limelight. They did not disappoint with Australians Leap To Fame and Gus much too good for their rivals. For many though, it was the excitement of the second running of the Hill Lee and Scott “The Velocity” that was the reason that they were on track with the anticipation that something special could be about to happen. With his better draw Marketplace was expected by many to get back to his dominant best. Instead, we were treated to one of harness racing’s best ever races.
Off the gate and Marketplace had far too much speed for his rivals and led through a fast lead time of 24.5 as Got The Chocolates was wide and having to do a lot of work. The tempo then settled through a 58.7 first half of the last mile, before a 26.5 quarter down the back had most of his rivals struggling, including it appeared, Got The Chocolates. Turning for home and as he has continued to do this time in, Got The Chocolates grabbed the bit and said, “let’s fight!” For the length of the long Addington straight it appeared that Craig Ferguson was doing enough with Marketplace, but in the last 50m, Got The Chocolates raised the supreme effort of his life to get up by a half neck, prompting commentator Matt Cross to declare, “it’s a done deal, there’s your answer. New Zealand’s top three-year-old.”
Post-race the plaudits kept flowing for this marvelous three-year-old off the back of another New Zealand record. Co-trainer Robert Dunn seemed in disbelief with what he had just witnessed from his star.
“Turning for home, Johnny thought that Chocky’s was only running for second, but he grabbed the bit and refused to give up.”
Robert also referenced the 1987 Cox Place in his interview heaping the praise on the first two horses.
“They are two great champions these two. That was reminiscent of the Bonecrusher and Our Waverley Star race from all those years ago.”
Robert also made reference to his great owners Ross and Angela Gordon who have been with him now for so many years.
“They have been the backbone of the stable for sometime. They are wonderful owners.”
In a week dominated by the Australian raiders it could now be that New Zealand has a couple of stars that could potentially go to Australia and target some of their great races.
“Well he is better-gaited than the master. (Robert’s greatest start Master Musician). I haven’t been to Australia with a horse for a long time, but it could be on the radar now.”
In wrapping up, we should not forget to mention John and Jenna. What a power couple in harness racing this pair have become. Hard work pays off in spades and this pair deserve all the plaudits for the great success that the Diamond Racing team are having. We now look forward to another cracking card of racing at the track next Friday night.
Article written by Mike Drury