JUST like his reliable Ford Falcon, Daryl Douglas is getting better with age.The Bendigo reinsman notched his 3500th career winner on Thursday night when he won the second race at Echuca aboard Hey Whats Doin.The 37-year-old is just the fourth driver in Australia to achieve the feat after Gavin Lang (4464), Chris Alford (4011) and Chris Lewis (3996).“I guess the fact that only a few others have achieved it shows that it’s a hard thing to do,’’ Douglas said yesterday.The milestone comes on the back of Douglas becoming the first driver to score 250 winners in Victoria six seasons in a row.The secret to Douglas’ success is his work ethic and committment to spend so much time on the road travelling to as many meetings as he can.“I’ve got an advantage over the likes of Gaving Lang and Chris Alford because they have to get up early in the morning and work horses whereas I get to sleep in most mornings,’’ Douglas said.“That allows me to travel to more of the night meetings.“I do twice as many meetings as the other top drivers, so the premiership is not something they worry about.’’Most of the time Douglas jumps in his trusty Ford Falcon and drives himself from meeting to meeting.“If I start worrying about how many kilometres I’m doing I’ll start to slow down,’’ Douglas said of criss-crossing the state.“I’ve got a brand new car in the shed, but I still drive my Falcon.“I’ve had it for nine years and it’s clocked over 800,000km. Don’t worry, I give it a hiding, too.’’The highlight of Douglas’ season has been his partnership with arguably Australia’s premier mare Make Mine Cullen.Trained by his brother Glenn at his Strathfieldsaye stables, Make Mine Cullen is yet to miss a place in 15 starts this season and counts the Group One Ladyship Mile and Silver Chalice among her 10 wins.The four-year-old needed a top-five finish in last night’s Hondo Grattan Sprint at Menangle in Sydney to qualify for the Group One Chariots Of Fire on July 30.“She’s a magnificent horse,’’ Daryl Douglas said.“For her to do what she’s done has been sensational. he’ll make the Chariots Of Fire and she’s got the ability to beat the boys.“Hopefully, she has some luck go her way for a change.’’