Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Busselton trainer Barry Howlett has high hopes that his consistent mare Little Darling will win the $50,000 Christmas Belles next Friday week to make amends for the disappointment of his mare Three Rumours running home strongly to finish second to Steno in the 2023 Christmas Belles 12 months ago.
Little Darling, the second fancy at $3, maintained her splendid form at Gloucester Park on Friday night when Chris Lewis drove her to an all-the-way victory in the WA Foton Diesel At Catalano Pace over 2130m.
She dashed straight to the front from the No. 2 barrier and after a slow lead time of 37.8sec. and a modest opening quarter of 30.1sec. she raced keenly and reeled off quarters of 28.4sec., 28.4sec. and 28.6sec.and responded to her driver’s vigorous driving in the home straight to beat the $1.85 favourite Penny Black, who fought on doggedly after working hard in the breeze all the way.
Little Darling ended a losing sequence of seven, but her recent form has been excellent, with second placings to Starlight Dream, Aardiebytheseaside and Steno at three of her most recent five starts.
She was inclined to over race, but she showed good fighting qualities to hold out Penny Black and gain a half-head victory, rating 1.55.8. Acharne Girl, driven by Stuart McDonald for trainer Gary Hall Snr, caught the eye with an excellent first-up effort, running home solidly to finish third.
Five-year-old Little Darling is by Art Major and is the first foal out of the Bettors Delight mare Fay Darling, who had 22 starts in WA for five wins, seven placings and $33,106. Little Darling has earned $207,971 from nine wins and 16 placings from 38 starts.