Despite a big betting drift, it was business as usual for
rising star Chocolate Holic in Saturday's Listed Carbine Club Of W.A. Stakes
(1400m) at Ascot.
The Grant And Alana Williams-trained 4yo gelding was
dropping back in distance after missing a place for the first time in his
10-start career in the Ascot Gold Cup over 1800 metres seven days previously.
Four pairs back on the rail, Chocolate Holic needed all of
Damien Oliver's undoubted talent to earn his victory.
Initially looking to come wide before the turn, Oliver
switched back to the rail, saving precious ground before manoeuvring the son of
Blackfriars four wide.
He finished resolutely to defeat Bass Strait (Holy Roman Emperor)
by a half-length with Great Shot (Magnus) a half-head back in third.
Unraced at two due to a tendon injury, Chocolate Holic made
just two starts at three, winning on debut at Bunbury before finishing second
at Belmont.
He has been on fire this season, winning six of his eight
starts.
His first stakes win came in the Listed Northam Cup on
October 23.
One of 34 stakes winners for the evergreen Blackfriars, Chocolate
Holic advances his record to 7 wins and 2 seconds from 10 starts with earnings
of $305,275.
Bred and raced by his trainers, Chocolate Holic is the third
live foal of the Geiger Counter (USA) mare World Famous who failed to win in
six starts.
Her second foal, the 5-time winner Chocolate Moon (Cape
North) recently had her first foal, a filly by Blackfriars.
World Famous has an unnamed 2yo gelding by Deadly Storm
(USA) but has not had a mare return submitted to the Studs Book for the past
two seasons.