Little Darling’s shock win in Empress Stakes

Consistent mare Little Darling (Art Major) surprised her more fancied harness racing rivals with a last to first burst to take out the $75,000 Group 2 Garrards Horse and Hounds Empress stakes for mares at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The event attracted some quality mares namely Aardiebytheseaside, the in form Penny Black and Nullarbor Navajo.

Aardiebytheseaside had won this race last year and had also won the Mares Classic at Gloucester Park in November and was therefore expected to repeat the success in this year’s Empress Stakes Division.

However despite commencing quickly she could not cross Nullabor Navajo and was forced to race outside the leader. Meanwhile Penny Black was wide early and Gary Hall Jnr worked her around the outside the field to eventually sit outside Nullarbor Navajo with Aardiebytheseaside getting the trail behind her.

Chris Lewis on Little Darling settled her at the rear of the field six back on the rails and in the final lap she was still about 25 metres from the field and a conspicuous last.

Aardiebytheseaside got the better of Nullarbor Navajo on turning for home and she looked to have a winning break in the home straight. But Chris Lewis on Little Darling weaved his way through the pack and out wide she made giant strides to gather in Aardiebytheseaside by a metre with Wonderful To Fly also finishing well for third.

LITTLE DARLING APR 18 REPLAY

Little Darling has always shown ability for her trainer Barry Howlett and was a runner up in the West Australian Oaks as well as featuring prominently in the classic mares events at Gloucester Park. She has now won ten races from 43 starts and over $262,000 in stake money.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink