Exciting three-year-old Darci La Bella (NZ) (Darci Brahma) showed she has inherited plenty of the family ability when she made a winning debut at Otaki on Monday.

The Darci Brahma filly is a half-sister to her trainer Allan Sharrock’s stable star Tavi Mac (NZ) (Tavistock), although Sharrock is quick to point out one major difference.

“They are both very talented individuals, but she definitely got the looks in the family,” he said.
“Neither of them are that big, but he’s called Frodo for a reason whereas she is a beautiful filly to look at.”

Although not sighted publicly at the trials prior to her debut, Sharrock had been confident of a good performance from his charge as she had shown him plenty in her jumpouts back at New Plymouth.

Rider Ashvin Goindasamy made good use of an inside barrier draw to hustle Darci La Bella to the lead where she controlled the tempo to the home corner. Goindasamy shot her clear at that point and despite second favourite Meg (Sebring) making a spirited late challenge, she held on nicely to collect the victory.

“Based on what I’ve seen at home she is definitely a better chaser than she is a leader,” Sharrock said.

“We had the good barrier today so we wanted to make use of it, but as she progresses up the grades, I definitely think she will be better ridden with a sit.

“I’ll take her along quietly but if she does what I think she is capable of then a race like the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) might be a target for her in the autumn.”

-NZTM