Little Darling’s predictable win in Mares Classic

The barrier draw was always going to be the main factor influencing the running of the Group 1 $150,000 Westral Mares Classic and that’s precisely what occurred after Little Darling(Art Major) led all the way at Gloucester Park on Friday evening for a decisive win.

Drawn in barrier 2, Little Darling was expected to lead with her main dangers Aardiebytheseaside drawn out wider and Penny Black on the second row.

And as expected Little Darling found the lead and Aardiebytheseaside was caught outside the leader. Penny Black from her second row settled three back on the rails. Nase Vira had the run of the race behind the leader.

Over the testing 2536 metre trip, driver Jocelyn Young nursed Little Darling in the lead and in the final lap it was obvious that those back in the field would have a job making up any ground.

Little Darling kicked clear on straightening as Ardiebytheseaside couldn’t improve her position and Penny Black was still bottled away on the rails. When Emily Suvaljko finally extricated Penny Black off the rails she stormed home and could well have been considered to be the unlucky runner up.

LITTLE DARLING NOV 21 REPLAY

Little Darling is owned by Barry Howlett who formerly trained the mare until recently before handing her over to Cameron Ross who presented the mare in tip top shape for the classic.

After the event Jocelyn Young reflected on the race.

I’ve been very lucky to be associated with some really nice mares. I had a third with Have No Fear, then with Steno, to finally get a win its pretty special and we’re lucky and appreciative that Barry handed here over just before these big races. And I get to be the passenger.

To be honest I didn’t see the draw for a while and I got told about it. And I thought it couldn’t work out any better. Just on paper she’s going really well but obviously you never know on raceday who’s going to do what. And there were a couple of little surprises in there but she was good enough. I thought we were all out but obviously everyone was.

I thought I’d better let her roll didn’t want to get pinged by someone coming out off the fence. We didn’t get home that quick but she still held on pretty comfortably.

Little Darling is out of the Bettors Delight mare Fay Darling who won five races in the West a decade ago when she was racing. Little Darling is easily her best progeny to date.  A runner up in the West Australian Oaks, Little Darling took out the Group 2 Empress Stakes and now has a well deserved Group 1 success to her name.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink