Double Delight returns to winning ways

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Double Delight returned to her winning ways at Alexandra Park on Thursday night against her own sex in the Group 3 Alabar Northern Trotting Oaks (2200m).

From the second row the daughter of Captaintreacherous settled midfield for trainer-driver Tony Herlihy who sat patiently before sending his charge forward at the bell to sit outside pacemaker Con Grazia Love.

Double Delight hit the lead at the top of the home straight and ran away to a comfortable one length victory over Con Grazia Love, rewarding punters who backed her into $1.50 favouritism.

Herlihy was pleased with the efforts of his filly and is looking forward to the rest of her Classic season.

“She did what she had to and was very professional about it all, she was a bit too strong at the finish and I was really pleased with her,” he said.

Double Delight was handed her first defeat at Alexandra Park last month against exciting gelding Highgrove, but Herlihy said there was no shame going down to a horse of his quality.

“She went terrific last time and backed that up tonight,” he said.

Double Delight will get her chance to avenge that defeat later this month when she meets Highgrove in a couple of three-year-old features.

“She has got the Sires’ Stakes in a couple of weeks and perhaps the Trotting Derby after that,” Herlihy said.

Thursday’s victory adds to Double Delight’s three wins as a juvenile last season, including the Gr.1 Harness Jewels 2YO Ruby (1609m) at Cambridge Raceway in June.

She was purchased by Herlihy out of Tardina Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft for $40,000.

Earlier on the card, Herlihy recorded a couple of runner-up results courtesy of Te Amo in the Alabar Weanling Parade 25 May Mobile Pace (2200m) and Mr Chip in the Alabar Weanling Sale 26 May Mobile Pace (2200m).

“They are both nice horses and went well,” Herlihy said.

“Te Amo is getting a bit stronger and the other fella always finds one a bit better, but that is the way it goes. He will have his turn.”