You won’t see too many performances in harness racing more impressive than what Delight Me produced tonight at Tabcorp Park Melton to win the Empire Stallions $115,000 Vicbred Super Series four-year-old mares’ final.
The powerful daughter of Bettor's Delight/Cornsilk sat wide for basically the entire trip before putting her opposition away in the straight to claim Group 1 glory.
For the mare’s driver, Gavin Lang, the victory was his fourth Group 1 for the night – and fifth across both nights of the Vicbred finals after guiding Sparkling Success home last night.
“There won’t be too many pats on the back for me for that drive,” Lang said post-race.
“Andrew Peace a few years ago, I said to him, 'You didn’t drive that one too well, Andrew' and he said, 'well, nobody’s going to know because it won'.
“That one didn’t pan out like we hoped but like I say the horse obviously trained to the minute. She’s a special horse really to do what she had to do to win.”
Lang drove all four Group 1 quaddie leg winners tonight – Rocknroll Magic, Dont Hold Back, Ideal For Real and Delight Me. He also finished second in the two-year-old fillies’ final aboard Perfect Sense.
“People often say ‘that was a good win’ and I always say ‘all wins are good, just that some are better’,” Lang said.
“Nights like this are what it’s all about though. It’s not about quantity it’s about the quality of the race you win.
“I’m fortunate to drive for the right stables, good horses, and it’s very satisfying but I don’t get too far ahead of myself because I know I’m only as good as the horses I drive.”
Delight Me produced a slick 1:55.3 mile rate despite covering extra territory, with stablemate Starburst Girl (Mark Pitt) finishing 4m away in second place and Paul Campbell-trained Miss Dreamin (Kerryn Manning) producing a huge run for third at big odds.
Delight Me was bred by Rob Watson and is raced by John Clements.
Stewart spoke Delight Me being a personal favourite, adding: "It's been a great night and it was great to see Michael Stanley get a Group 1 too, so it was a good night for Ballarat".
On the run of Delight Me, Stewart said: “I was very worried early on, she had a torrid run, but it just shows you how good she is."
Cody Winnell
Harness Racing Victoria