NEWCASTLE jockey Darryl McLellan will break new ground when he rides young Scone stayer Warialda Warrior at Morphettville on Saturday.
McLellan has competed on no less than 57 tracks in Australia – along with a few in New Zealand – but has never ridden in South Australia.
He will fly to Adelaide on Friday to partner Warialda Warrior for trainer John Ramsey in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m); the three-year-old’s lead-up to the $1m Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville a week later.
It’s an association McLellan is looking forward to continuing.
He has ridden the lightly-raced Saxon Warrior gelding at five of his last six starts, including both his wins (at Scone over 2300m last October) and Dubbo (1600m earlier this month) and eighth to dual Derby winner Riff Rocket in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington last November.
McLellan incurred a careless riding suspension when successful on Warialda Warrior in a Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600m) at Dubbo on April 7, and missed the ride on the gelding at his SA debut when seventh (with Craig Newitt aboard) in Air Assault’s Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) at Morphettville six days later.
“There were definite excuses for his defeat that day,” McLellan explained.
“Warialda Warrior went from Dubbo after his win there, and it took two days to get him to Adelaide.
“He began awkwardly in the Guineas, and then was ridden a bit close and the long trip obviously had an impact.
“John (Ramsey) asked me to go to Adelaide to ride Warialda Warrior work last Saturday morning, and I was really happy with him.
‘He had brightened up noticeably.”
McLellan did not take rides at Friday’s Tamworth Cup Showcase meeting to ensure he renews his association with Warialda Warrior at the weekend.
And whilst he is expecting him to race well at the 2000m in the Chairman’s, he feels Saturday week’s 2500m of the Derby will be even more suitable.
“Warialda Warrior beat half the field home in the Victoria Derby, and it was a good run,” he said.
“We got shuffled back on the corner, and should have been beaten no more than four or five lengths instead of nine.
“Warialda Warrior ran the third fastest last 600m that day, proving that he can stay.”
The Scone three-year-old on Thursday morning was a $41 chance for the Chairman’s with TAB.com.au; his Guineas conqueror Air Assault being the $2.90 favorite.
. HOOFNOTE: McLellan will fly back on Saturday night for three rides (Super Lee, Bestower and Wanjina Rose) at Sunday’s Taree meeting.
Story John Curtis, April 25, 2024 - Pics supplied.
Comments