Penny Black’s determination to the fore in Norms Daughter classic

Iron mare Penny Black (Sweet Lou) showed her again her tremendous fighting powers when she outstayed her harness racing rivals to take out the $100,000 Group 2 Barbagello Lamborghini Norms Daughter classic for mares at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Regular driver Emily Suvaljko opted to drive Heavenly Gypsy giving the drive for Penny Black to Stuart McDonald who was handling the mare for the first time.

In a furious early battle for the lead Heavenly Gypsy was able to hold the front but not after a spirited battle with Aardiebytheseaside and Little Darling who was made to work three wide before racing outside the leader.

Penny Black was set alight by McDonald but she was out three wide at the bell. She was made to go wider on leaving the back when Aardiebytheseaside came out in front of her.

However displaying that customary courage Penny Black wore down Aardiebytheseaside to score by over four metres with outsider Nase Vira a very credible third.

PENNY BLACK NOV 7 REPLAY

Commenting on the fast early pace, Stuart McDonald said

It was a better feeling and the result showed that as well. She’s a really nice horse I’ve always knew and you sort of get a feeling for them when you drive them.

When I got pushed down the back straight I was not sure how we were going. We sort of got to that corner and she took off again. I thought then I’m still on the winner and on the line she was pulling away from them.

I thought after the lead time I was pretty confident after that.

Penny Black is a tribute to her trainer Michael Young who has the striking black mare looking every bit a top horse when she is presented at the races.

The New Zealand bred mare has now won 16 of her 35 starts for over $355,000 in stake money for her owners.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink