Darkies Last ready for his first in honour of a trots great

Memories of one of Australia’s all-time great trainer/drivers will come flooding back for many long-time members of the harness racing community when Darkies Last makes his race debut at Bendigo on Friday night.

The four-year-old is named in memory of G. D. ‘Dave Darkie’ Wilson, who was associated with some of the best pacers and trotters of his generation, going back to the 1950s.

Darkies Last lines up for Kilmore trainer-driver Rita Burnett in the Simonds Homes Bendigo Maiden Pace (1650m).

Burnett has a close association with the Wilson family, with her sister Josie married to Darkie’s son Graeme, who was also once a leading light in training/driving ranks.

Burnett said the Hurrikane Kingcole gelding was the last foal bred by Graeme and Josie and so they felt it was only fitting that it be named in honour of ‘Darkie’.

A member of the Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame, G. D. ‘Darkie’ Wilson drove Avian Derby to victory in the 1952 Inter Donminion Pacing Championship final in front of almost 40,000 people packed into Harold Park in Sydney.

He would later steer two-time Inter Dominion runner-up Dusty Miller to 31 wins.

The Wilsons also had champion trotter Touch Merchant, Australia’s first squaregaiter to earn $100,000 in stakemoney. ‘Darkie’ drove Touch Merchant to eight wins and Graeme took the reins in 26 successes.

Burnett said Darkies Last had taken a long time mature.

“He’s a big horse and had a few growing issues,” she said. “The vet suggested he be given time and they’ve done that. He’s been in and out of work, and had a few trials.

“He is a little one-paced. He doesn’t have a lot of speed (at the moment), but hopefully in time.”

Burnett said with Graeme not in the best of health she was hoping to deliver him a Darkies Last win.

“He’s drawn nicely. Hopefully he does everything right and can run a place first up.”

In a further tribute, Burnett will wear Graeme Wilson’s racing colours of blue with a yellow V and striped sleeves.

Graeme Wilson has been out of the training game for sometime, but it is not that long since his colours last went around the track, having been carried by two-year-old Edna Dorothy – Graeme’s mother’s name – in late 2020.

Burnett is hopeful they will bring good luck to Darkies Last, a gelding out of Lil Safe, who was bred by Edna Wilson and has produced two winners.

The family also bred the dam of Lil Safe, Lil Luce, who left five winners, including Finucane (26 wins).