Brilliant seven-year-old Little Darling resumed racing after a ten-week absence in splendid fashion with a powerful victory in the $25,000 HTA Rent A Gen Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
It was a perfect rehearsal for her current campaign in which she is being set for upcoming feature events for mares, the $50,000 Lombardo Pace at Gloucester Park next Friday week and the $35,000 Golden Girls Mile at Pinjarra on March 16.
Little Darling, the $1.90 favourite from the outside barrier in the field of nine, settled in last position before Jocelyn Young set her alight with a fast three-wide burst which carried her to the breeze on the outside of her five-year-old stablemate Sugar Delight with 1000m to travel.
She got on terms with Sugar Delight 300m from home before taking a clear lead on the home turn on her way to winning by a half-length from the fast-finishing $71 outsider Bazaar Package, rating 1.56.3 after final 400m sections of 28sec. and 28.6sec. Sugar Delight held on to finish third.
“It is always tough from barrier nine,” said trainer Cameron Ross. “Little Darling enjoys racing and she will improve on her effort tonight. We’re aiming for the Lombardo and the Golden Girls, and she is nice and bright. The more she races, the better she gets.
“Sugar Delight is probably a step or two below the good mares, but she is earning her keep.”
Ross also has a high opinion of New Zealand-bred three-year-old filly Miss Leopatra, who impressed at Gloucester Park last Tuesday night when she was a stylish all-the-way winner, rating 1.54.5 over 1730m after final quarters of 28.4sec. and 28.1sec.
“We will be aiming at some of the big races for fillies this year, like the Pearl Classic and the WA Oaks,” said Ross.
