NZB Standardbred Graduate Gets The Chocolates In Group One

Got The Chocolates (NZ) (Art Major) did just that at Addington Raceway last Friday night when winning the Group One Dakins Group 3YO Flying Stakes (1980m).

The Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained gelding was quick off the gates, but he was burnt for early speed out wide by multiple Group One winner Marketplace (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), who rocketed to the lead, with Got The Chocolates forced to sit parked early.

Driver John Dunn wasn’t content in that position and pressed forward for the lead, with Got The Chocolates reaching the front at the bell. Dunn dictated terms upfront and heading for home Got The Chocolates responded to his urgings to hold out Marketplace to win by a neck.

It was the Art Major gelding’s second elite-level victory, having won the Group One New Zealand Welcome Stakes (1980m) as a two-year-old.

“He was lucky enough to pick one (Group One) up at two and now he has got one at three,” John Dunn said. “There’s not much between these top three-year-olds now, which is good going into the second half of the season.

“He is a neat horse and will be great racing going forward.”

Got The Chocolates is out of four-win Bettor’s Delight mare Kate Black, a daughter of multiple Group One winner Kate’s First. He was offered through Rosedale Farm’s 2023 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft in Christchurch where he was purchased by Diamond Racing for $90,000.

He has been a model of consistency for his connections, winning seven and placing in 11 of his 21 starts to date, earning more than $300,000 in prizemoney.