Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Talented five-year-old Little Darling broke a 21-month drought when Chris Lewis drove her to an impressive win in the $27,000 Bookings@Alwoodstud.com.au Pace for Westbred mares at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“Maybe this is a turning point for her,” said Lewis. “She is capable of winning more races in town. She is not one-dimensional, and she is a versatile mare.
“Little Darling has been running some very good races from behind, and tonight she showed what she can do when she leads.”
Little Darling, trained in Busselton by Barry Howlett, was good value as a $9.10 chance on the tote, and she began well from barrier three, took the lead after 150m and set a solid pace before winning by one and a half lengths from $16 chance Paroquet, who fought on grandly after working in the breeze.
Little Darling, who rated 1.56.9 over the 2130m journey, has now earned $155,404 from eight wins and 13 placings from 30 starts. She is by Art Major and is the first foal out of Bettors Delight mare Fay Darling, who raced 22 times in Western Australia for five wins on country tracks and seven placings for stakes of $33,106.