WARRNAMBOOL jumps jockey Brad McLean rode his 150th winner when he guided the Patrick Payne-trained Sea King to a thrilling victory in the $100,000 Drechsler Hurdle at Bendigo.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sea King defeated Warrnambool jumpers Two Hats and Hornets’ Nest in the feature hurdle race, while Wells overtook Zed Em over the concluding stages to win the other jumps feature, the $100,000 Mosstropper Steeplechase on Sunday.
McLean said Sea King, a 10-year-old, is an old marvel.
“He’s got an outstanding jumps record, winning 16 races,” McLean said.
“It’s the first time that I’ve ridden Sea King. He’s a quirky type of horse.
“I was very confident in the run that he would win. I just allowed him to switch off.
“I knew he would be tough late. Full credit to Paddy and Kevin ‘Dummy’ Myers back in New Zealand: they have done a great job sharing the training duties in Melbourne and New Zealand with Sea King.”
Wells – who has locals Nick Rule and Martin Kavanagh and politician Dan Tehan in his ownership – showed he’s on track for another tilt at the Grand National Steeplechase with his win.
The Kathryn Durden-trained Wells took his stake earnings in jumps races to more than $600,000 with his sixth victory over obstacles.
McLean finished up with another second-placegetter when Cougar Express filled the minor placing behind Refectory in a maiden hurdle.
