Travel Agent Books Group One Ticket

A burgeoning rivalry is brewing between a trio of exciting juveniles, but it was the Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained Travel Agent (NZ) (Sweet Lou) who was in the spotlight at Addington Raceway last Friday night when taking out the Group One Avon City Ford NZ Welcome Stakes (1980m).

Last month he trekked south to Invercargill where he came off third best behind fellow NZB Standardbred graduates Roger That (NZ) (Sweet Lou) and Chiggsy (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) in the Group One Diamond Creek Farm/SBSR 2YO Classic (2200m).

Travel Agent broke in the early stages of the southern Group One but impressed when running home strong into third, with punters taking notice of his efforts, installing him a $2.60 favourite for the Welcome Stakes.

He brought his best behaviour to Addington Raceway on Friday and driver John Dunn was positive off the mobile arm, urging his charge forward and he found the top when driver Carter Dalgety elected to hand up to get the trail with second favourite Roger That.

Third favourite Chiggsy did it tough, once again sitting parked, and the leading trio had the race to themselves a long way from home, opening up a growing margin on their rivals with 450m to go.

The pressure told on Roger That down the home straight, leaving it a two-horse race, and Chiggsy found himself once again in a dogfight down the straight. He threw the kitchen sink at Travel Agent, but the son of Sweet Lou saw off his late challenge to land victory by a mere neck.

“He tried to chuck it away at the top of the straight when he put a couple of hairy strides in, but he fought hard to the line,” John Dunn said. “Chiggsy went great again. It was a great battle up the straight and I was lucky enough to get the win.”

Bred by Woodlands Stud, Travel Agent is a full-brother to Group One performers Virgil, Aladdin and Hadron Collider.

He was offered through the Auckland farm’s draft at the 2025 NZB Standard National Yearling Sale at Karaka where he was purchased by Diamond Racing Stables for $90,000.

He has now won two and placed in two of his four starts to date, and earned north of $77,000 in prizemoney.