Travel Agent wins Welcome Stakes
Travel Agent (Sweet Lou) showed just how much raw talent he has under the bonnet when despite wanting to knock off, he managed to dig deep to win tonight’s $100,000 Group One Avon City Ford Welcome Stakes at Addington.
Roger That lead early, but was happy to hand up to Travel Agent and John Dunn when he came calling.
Chiggsy and driver Blair Orange had a look for the top, but Dunn wasn’t prepared to hand.
Inside the last 400, Roger That dropped off and it was left to Travel Agent and Chiggsy to fight out the finish.
Dunn had to noticeably steady Travel Agent and halfway down the straight he lost some momentum. But when it looked like Chiggsy may get up, Travel Agent picked himself up to beat his arch rival by a neck, with Roger That seven lengths back in third.
TRAVEL AGENT REPLAY
The winning time was 2-22.4 and a mile rate of 1-55.7.
“He showed gate speed. 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. Chiggsy went great again. It was a great battle up the straight and I was lucky enough to get the win,” John said.
Travel Agent is owned by Ross and Angela Gordon and their children Lucy and Samuel. He was purchased out of the 2025 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales in Auckland for $90,000, as was runner up Chiggsy ($37,500) and third placegetter Roger That ($150,000).
It’s also a great result for Woodlands Stud as both Travel Agent and Chiggsy were part of their sales draft that year and both youngsters share the same second dam, Pacing Grace.
The win was Ross’s 174th as an owner and all have been trained by Robert and or Robert and Jenna Dunn.
“He’s still a nervy bugger with a lot to learn. He’s just got that raw speed and ability to go with it.”
The win was also Ross and Angela’s fifth Group One success. Got The Chocolates provided them with their first in this race two years ago.
For complete race results, click here.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink
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