Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Champion reinsman Chris Lewis recorded a remarkable ninth triumph in the $75,000 group 2 Empress Stakes when he brought $17.30 chance Little Darling home with a flying finish from last to snatch victory from the $2.75 favourite Aardiebytheseaside at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“Going into the back straight you would have given her no hope,” said Lewis. “And when we straightened up, I thought we were not going to get there. But she knuckled down, and I think Aardiebytheseaside came back to us a little bit. The quick lead time probably took the edge of that mare.
“Little Darling is a good all-round horse who is best suited doing nothing and then sprinting home. She ran a good time (rating 1.56.5) tonight.”
Nullarbor Navajo ($4.80) led from the No. 2 barrier, with Aardiebytheseaside in the breeze after racing three wide early from the No. 6 barrier.
Penny Black ($3.70) began from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line and settled at the rear before Gary Hall Jnr sent her forward to take up the breeze position 700m after the start, enabling Deni Roberts to have Aardiebytheseaside racing in the one-out, one-back position.
Aardiebytheseaside was switched three wide 300m from home and swept to the front 100m later and looked a certain winner when she was almost two lengths clear of her rivals with 100m to travel. But she was unable to hold the flying Little Darling at bay.
Wonderful To Fly ($8) was tenth with 300m to go, and she impressed with fast-finishing effort out five wide to finish third. Penny Black faded to finish eighth, while Water Lou ($16) raced at the rear, broke into a gallop 400m from home and finished tenth.
Little Darling was bred and is owned by Busselton trainer Barry Howlett, his wife Lyn and their son Jimmy. She is by Art Major and is the first foal out of Bettors Delight mare Fay Darling, who raced 22 times in WA for five wins, seven placings and $33,106. Fay Darling’s dam Molly Darling earned $506,033 from 24 wins and 18 placings from 72 starts.