With the two slot races – The Ascent and the Velocity – added to the card, the Show Day feature race programme is full of talent. With runners in these two races as well as the Group One Trotting Free-For-All and the Sires Stakes Championship for the 2yo trotters, it is an exciting afternoon.
Got The Chocolates will represent the stable in the Velocity for $500,000 where he will again match up with Marketplace in what looks to be a super contest. If their previous career meetings are anything to go by, their match-up today could well be the highlight of a stacked race card. In the 18 races that they have competed against one another, there are only three times one of the two has not come away the winner. Marketplace has definitely got the better of the draw today coming out of barrier two, while Got The Chocolates will again have to make his own luck from the outside barrier of six over the 1980m trip. John remained upbeat about his chances ahead of this afternoon.
“While the draw is not ideal, it could be worse, he could have drawn seven!”
“His work leading up to today has been great and I am expecting a big run from him again.”
While these two star two-year-olds dominate the discussions, the chances don’t end there, with visiting Australian Fate Awaits and top filly Captain’s Mistress adding plenty of spice to the contest.
Earlier in the day, we have our two fillies Petite Armour and Flying Dreams going around in a strong field of two-year-olds in the Group One Sires Stakes Championship. Petite Armour did a great job last week and is a deserving second favourite this afternoon, while her stablemate is first up and while a quality filly will need luck from the unruly. Kyvalley Ray will start a short-priced favourite.
Ya Rite Darl has been so good this campaign and while she got things wrong last time she is one of the strong chances in the $500,000 Ascent. She has been in stunning form this campaign and has more ringcraft and toughness to her than earlier in the year. She is certain to give a great account for her connections.
This is another race stacked full of talent with visiting Australian Tracey The Jet a deserving favourite from a good draw and looking to extend an impressive formline. North Island trotter Meant To Be and Habbiti Pat have proven themselves many times in this company and look big chances also. With a little bit of luck Ya Rite Darl will be right in the fight for a long way.
Mighty Logan ran another good race without a lot of luck in the Dominion and he should be right in the fight again in today’s trotting free-for-all. The draw is good and with the Australian visitors remaining in town the speed is sure to be on. Jilliby Ballerini back to the mobile is expected to go forward and be toughest to beat, but Dominion winner Gus, Bet N Win and Oscar Bonavena all loom large in what is sure to be a genuinely run race.
With the weather looking sure to do its part, it will be a great afternoon at Addington Raceway.