Molly Darling

May 26th, 2008 by Andrew Georgoiu

DENNIS Wilson turned back the clock at Harold Park last Friday night with an impressive winning double.

After leading throughout with former Tasmanian Yushchenko Leis in race three, Wilson then repeated the dose on Molly Darling just 30 minutes later in the Cordina Chicken Farms Ranji Bill Stakes over 2160 metres.

What's more impressive is the fact both Molly Darling and Yushchenko Leis both saluted at double figure odds!

Beginning from the outside of the second line, Wilson let Molly Darling settle before rushing around to take up the running.

Going through the quarters in 31.4, 32.3, 28.8 and 28.4 seconds, the daughter of Christian Cullen kicked away from her rivals rounding the home turn, including the high-flying Misty Miller, to score a comfortable victory.

Misty Miller finished second, some seven-and-a-half metres away, with Aldebaran four metres away third, in a mile rate of 2:00.3.

Wilson was delighted with the performance.

"I've only had her in the stable for about two weeks," he said.

"Brent (Mangos) told me that her runs in Melbourne during the Mares' triple crown were better than they appear on paper.

"Her sectional times had been solid so I was fairly confident she would perform strongly in this race.

"We trialled her at Menangle Park the other day and she finished behind Special Albert, however, her times were exceptional."

The Cobbitty mentor explained that Molly Darling was the most pleasant of racehorses to do anything with but he wouldn't be able to enjoy her company for much longer.

"She will be leaving my place again shortly but that's fine - I'm more than happy to have her for the Ladyship Mile," Wilson said.

"I think she will put in a big effort on the spacious track at Menangle.

"And the good news is that she will improve from her run tonight because she was in desperate need of a hit out."

Yushchenko Leis broke through for his first win for Wilson when taking out the Rock & Earth Exchange Pace over 2160 metres, which automatically qualified him for this week's M0-M1 Championship Final at Menangle.

The gelding's victory for Wilson revived fond memories that he, along with owners Trevor and Marjorie Leis, would share together. This particular combination raced Zyuganov Leis, which went on to win a Kilmore Cup.

While Yushchenko Leis isn't in the same class, he has proven to be a consistent bread-and-butter horse, winning 15 times and placing on 18 occasions from 58 starts.