It was a strong return to the track for Le Chocolat on Monday at Ipswich, producing a composed and professional win in Race 1 – the GREAT NORTHERN Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 1 Handicap (1100m).
›› Click here to watch the race replay – Ipswich Race 1, Feb 12, 2026
Carrying top weight of 60kg, Le Chocolat jumped cleanly and settled into fourth with good cover. He travelled nicely through the middle stages and, turning for home, found himself briefly pocketed. But experienced jockey Andrew Mallyon timed it perfectly, found a gap, and urged Le Chocolat through. He responded quickly, taking the lead and surging to the line to win by a third of a length over Roaring Success, with On the Target a further length back in third. Notably, both runners-up carried a 6kg weight advantage.
It was an impressive first-up effort under testing conditions, and the signs are promising for a 5–6 race preparation ahead. Trainer Matthew Dunn was pleased with the performance and confident there’s more to come.
This win lifts AHA Racing’s Australian Group Ownership record to:
16 wins
15 second placings
13 third placings
All within the past 24 months, from just 10 horses raced — of which 8 have now been winners, several of them multiple times. That’s an extraordinary 80% winners-to-runners success rate.
With Gaylord due to return to racing next week following two excellent trial wins, the 20-win milestone is well within reach.
Congratulations to the Gardet Group Ownership and to Matthew Dunn Racing for another outstanding preparation of Le Chocolat.
