Ya Rite Darl wins Oaks

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Once driver Tim Williams took quality trotting filly Ya Rite Darl (What The Hill) to the front, the writing was on the wall for her four rivals in today’s $25,000 Aldebaran Zeus Southern Trotting Oaks at Ascot Park.

“There was a bit of pressure to get round and get the job done when you’re that short (TAB Odds) in a small field. It can be a bit tricky. From the draw I thought we would go to the front and take luck out of it,” said Williams who was driving the filly for trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn.

The only mid race challenge came from Dash Dosh but that was short lived.

“The decision I had to make at the time was whether to take a trail or stay in front. I thought being in front was the best place to be.”

All of Ya Rite Darl’s racing has been at  Addington and Alexandra Park and today was the first time she’s raced on a smaller regional track.

“She’s a super gaited wee trotter, cornered up like a greyhound. Being on the inside was an advantage and one we held onto.”

At the end of the 2200 metre trip Ya Rite Darl had two lengths to spare on Atlantic City who trailed her throughout.

“She got a bit lost up the straight being by herself, but she didn’t stress.”

Ya Rite Darl in front with a lap to run (Bruce Stewart Photo)

Ya Rite Darl at the line (Bruce Stewart Photo)

The winning time of 2-45.1 was 1.1 seconds outside the race record of 2-44.2 held by 2020 winner Tailored Elegance.

The win was Ya Rite Darl’s sixth and took her earnings to over $150,000.

This was Williams’ third win in the Southern trotting feature. His previous winners were Luby Lou and Tailored Elegance.

“I’ve been really lucky to sit behind some really nice trotters. I was lucky that John decided at the last minute not to come.”

Ya Rite Darl was bought unnamed by Diamond Racing at the NZB Standardbred Weanling Sale for just $8,000 and named by her regular pilot John Dunn.

“It’s what I say when Jenna (wife and co-trainer) rings me,” John said.

The plan for Ya Rite Darl is to race in the $40,000. Group Three Hambletonian in Ashburton on Labour Day.

“It was a big old trip down today and home tonight. I’ll miss a race next week at Addington, give her a freshen up and go into the Hambletonian fresh.”

Dunn says the way the season is structured now if you don’t want to race the tough old campaigners in rating races you have to race against the male trotters in your age group.

“If you take out the Oaks in November you really have to race the boys all the way through. All her two year old season she took on the boys and raced in the Northern Derby against them too. It was the makings of her.”