Little Darling in shock mares classic win

The unfancied mare Little Darling (Art Major) through virtue of a lucky inside run defeated her more fancied rivals with a surprise win in the Group 2 $75,000 Tabtouch Empress stakes for mares at Gloucester Park on Saturday night.

Despite winning at Gloucester Park four starts back Little Darling was friendless in the betting. Drawn wide in barrier five, Jocelyn Young was able to get Little Darling across early to lead but then elected to take the trail when Penny Black came around the field to take up the running.

Favourite Fakeinit was able to manoeuvre into a one out and one back trail when Delightful Peg went up to race outside the leader. Those who had backed Penny Black had every reason to feel confident as she looked to be travelling easily in the lead.

LITTLE DARLING 17 APR REPLAY

Aardiebytheseaside unleashed a strong run in the final lap out three wide and Copy Cat Queen who had been well back took up the sit behind her.

The race changed dramatically when Penny Black suddenly moved off the fence and started to notably weaken. This gave the run to Little Darling without leaving the fence. Nonetheless Aardiebytheseaside continued her run out wide and looked as if she might prevail. However Little Darling grabbed the bit and she forged to the lead only to hold off a late challenge from a determined Copy Cat Queen to win by a metre with a gallant Aardiebytheseaside four metres away third.

Trained by Cameron Ross Little Darling has now won 15 races and 24 placings from 65 overall starts and $488,588 in stake money taking her close to the half million dollar mark.

Both place getters Copy Cat Queen and Aardiebytheseaside ran slashing races in their placings and should be close to winning at their next appearances.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink