Never judge a book by its cover. That could well apply to Alana Williams who bred, owns and prepares, Chocolate Holic.
But in fairness to the accomplished Williams, as a yearling, Chocolate Holic failed to show qualities that would inspire or instil confidence.
That perception only grew when the Blackfriars gelding damaged a suspensory ahead of his race track debut, keeping him out of racing for a year.
But fast forward 12-months and Chocolate Holic has emerged as a Group One prospect for Williams and her co-trainer, husband, Grant Williams.
Chocolate Holic has never finished out of the money, winning six races and being placed twice from eight starts since debuting at Bunbury this year.
However; the highlight and exclamation point came on Sunday when he produced his trademark finish to win the Listed XXXX-Gold Northam Cup (1600m).
The barnstorming victory not only gave him maiden black-type status and boosted stake earnings to $235,275, it’s raised the expectations of the William’s.
From modest and humble beginnings, Chocolate Holic is on track to contest WA racing’s premier race, the $1million Railway Stakes (1600m) in November.
”Early days he was a nice horse, but he didn’t feel any good at the breakers and there was no rap on him,” Alana Williams told The Sports Daily on TABradio.
“He never felt like a good horse, but goes like one.
“I had no aspirations to go where we are headed now.
“But he is going so good I would be silly not to have a shot at it.
“Every time I have popped the question and put him in something harder he answered the question.
“But I never thought he would get this far, definitely not.
“He has been a huge surprise packet and we might not get another one like him.
“We will enjoy it while we can.”
Julio Santarelli
www.rwwa.com.au