Ya Rite Darl Crowned Queen Of Diamonds

The Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained Ya Rite Darl (NZ) (What The Hill) ticked off a major career milestone at Alexandra Park last Friday night when breaking through for her maiden elite-level victory in the Group One Queen Of Diamonds Fillies & Mares FFA Mobile Trot (2200m).

From her second row draw, she was taken back to sit off the pace by driver John Dunn before he asked her to improve three-wide with a lap to go to sit parked outside leader American Muscle (NZ)(Muscle Mass).

The pair entered a duel at the top of the home straight, with Ya Rite Darl getting her head in front in the final 100m, and she continued to build on her advantage to run out a three-quarter of a length victor over a fast-finishing Belle Neige (NZ) (Love You).

John Dunn was rapt to see his mare back in winning form following a frustrating last few runs.

“She brought her A game,” he said. “There were a couple of hard luck stories during Cup Week, but you get over that and it was a great race to win.

“She had a bit of racing under her belt, she had a good prep up here last time which brought her right for here tonight.

“I backed her staying ability and she had it tonight.”

Ya Rite Darl has now won eight and placed in five of her 23 starts to date, including victory in the Group Three New Zealand 2YO Trotting Stakes (1980m) and placings in the Group Three Macca Lodge Sires’ Stakes 2YO Fillies Classique (1980m), Group Three Northern Trotting Oaks (2200m) and Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Mobile Trot (1980m).

Bred by Woodlands Stud, Ya Rite Darl is by their former shuttle stallion What The Hill and out of three-win Dream Vacation mare Gogirl Bromac (NZ), a half-sister to Group Three winner Groovy Bromac (NZ).

Ya Rite Darl’s third dam is Group One performer Lily The Pink (NZ), who won a Group Two Inter Dominion Trotters Heat and placed in the Group One Inter Dominion Trotters Grand Final, and she was the dam of Group One performer Jazz Legend (NZ) and 2016-17 New Zealand Trotting Broodmare of the Year Another Starlet (NZ).

Ya Rite Darl was offered through Woodlands Stud’s 2022 NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale where she was purchased by Diamond Racing Stables for $8,000.