Little Darling, drawn into barrier 2, was expected to take the lead with her biggest dangers, Aardiebytheseaside, pulled out further and Penny Black in the second row.
And as expected, Little Darling found the lead and Aardiebytheseaside was caught outside the leader. Penny Black from her second row put three back on track. Nase Vira had the race behind the leader.
During the 2536 meter test run, driver Jocelyn Young put Little Darling in the lead and on the final lap it was clear that those back in the field would have a track to make up any ground.
Little Darling kicked away on the straightening as Ardiebytheseaside could not improve her position and Penny Black was still on track. When Emily Suvaljko finally managed to free Penny Black from the rails, she stormed home and could very well have been considered the unlucky runner-up.
LITTLE LOVE NOVEMBER 21 REPEAT
Little Darling is owned by Barry Howlett who trained the mare until recently before handing her over to Cameron Ross who presented the mare in top form for the classic.
After the event, Jocelyn Young reflected on the race.
I have been fortunate to be associated with some really nice mares. I had a third with Have No Fear and then with Steno, to finally get a win, it’s pretty special and we’re lucky and appreciative that Barry handed over here just before these big races. And I get to be the passenger.
To be honest, I haven’t seen the draw in a while and was informed about it. And I thought it couldn’t get any better. On paper she is doing very well, but on race day you never know who will do what. And there were a few little surprises, but it was good enough. I thought we were all gone, but apparently everyone was.
I figured I better let her roll because I didn’t want to get pinged by anyone coming out of the gate. We didn’t get home that quickly, but she still held up quite comfortably.
Little Darling is out of the Bettors Delight mare Fay Darling who won five races in the West when she was racing ten years ago. Little Darling is by far her best offspring to date. Second in the West Australian Oaks, Little Darling won the Group 2 Empress Stakes and now has a well-deserved Group 1 success to her name.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
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