Battle of the titans some time off

Stars of last season, three year olds Marketplace (Bettor’s Delight) and Got The Chocolates, (Art Major) won’t resume their battle on the racetrack until spring.

Their titanic clashes last year were one of the highlights of the season but they’ve each taken different pathways as they head into their four year old season.

Got The Chocolates is back at the trials at Addington today and has the Noel Taylor Mile in April and the New Zealand Messenger in May at Alexandra Park on his radar.

“He’s matured a lot and you can see that he’s a different horse. So we’re looking forward to him racing again. He’s calmed down. He used to be quite nervy but his whole demeaner has changed. Now he’s calm and I think that’ll help the horse,” said Jenna Dunn who trains the gelding with her father in law Robert Dunn.

After those two mid season targets, Got The Chocolates will be sent out for a spell before racing again in spring.

Meanwhile Marketplace will miss the Auckland features and is to target spring racing instead.

“He’s going to have a long slow build up. The ownership group have made him really. I know there’s some good money in Auckland coming up but they’ve always put the horse first and let me do what I think is best for him. I think we’ve pulled the right rein there, but it’s going to be tough watching knowing that you could be there. I’m sure he’ll pay us back in the long run,” trainer Regan Todd said.

The main long term target for Marketplace will be November’s New Zealand Cup.

“But we’ll just let him find his feet in open class. He trialed against all those horses at the end of the season and he seemed to go alright. You just never know. We’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves.”

Todd says an early target under consideration is the $300,000 The Rising Sun at Albion Park in early July.

“He’ll have to be going extra good to go over there with horses like Captains Mistress.”

Meanwhile Todd has seven yearlings purchased at recent yearling sales under his care.

• Bettor’s Delight – Victor Ideal colt ($45,000).
• Captaintreacherous – Belle Thorne colt ($90,000)
• Always B Miki – Delightful Brigade colt ($30,000)
• Father Patrick – High Gait colt ($60,000)
• Sweet Lou – Piccadilly Princess colt ($45,000)
• Downbytheseaside – Stellar Arden colt (SBSR-$60,000)
• Downbytheseaside – Galleons Pleasure colt (SBSR-$150,000)

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink