Eight-win mare Darci La Bella will be out to claim some valuable black-type on Saturday when she heads to Hawera to contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).

The Darci Brahma five-year-old finished fourth in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa in August before winning at the Hamilton track last week and trainer Allan Sharrock believes he has her on song for Saturday.

Darci La Bella has only been tested over 1400m on one occasion, running fifth in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) in July and Sharrock said her performance this weekend will dictate her future plans.

“She has still got to get 1400m but that is why I gave her a run at Te Rapa on Friday, to take the tug off her and I think I have got her as well as I can,” Sharrock said.

“She is now a 99-rater, if she won on Saturday we will have to look at weight-for-age again somewhere, maybe the Manawatu Challenge Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) or something like that if she can get 1400m.”

-NZ Racing Desk