Petite One might not be big but she is quick.
The diminutive daughter of Angus Hall is a favourite of owners Lex and Heather Williams, of Waimate, for many reasons but now they have another reason after she set a national record in the opening race at Addington yesterday.
Her time of 4.04.9 for the 3200m is a record for mares over the extreme distance, 0.4sec inside La Coocaracha's time set in the 2002 Rowe Cup.
Petite One's life has not been without drama, as the couple had to help feed her after her mother, Petite Sunset, died when Petite One was born.
''So she's very special to us because we helped feed her.
''She's only young and she's only small but she's got a big heart.''
Petite One was tipped out for a spell after her fourth in the 4yr-old ruby division at the Harness Jewels in May.
Heather Williams said the time out at the couple's property, One Over Lodge, had done the mare the world of good before she returned to trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen at Rolleston.
''She put on quite a lot of weight at home. I jogged her up and I did that for six weeks and took her to Mark's.
''He was really pleased when we got back - he and Natalie said she had improved and strengthened up. They've done a great job with her.''
