ANDREW Dale struck early at the Wangaratta Turf Club’s meeting on Thursday.
Hells Son snapped a streak of four third place finishes in a row in race four’s Ovens Kia Wangaratta Maiden Plate (1170m) by a length.
After drawing gate 14 of 14, hoop Lachlan King settled in the back half of the field before looming the widest on the turn.
It was easy viewing for connections of Hells Son as the promising three-year-old went through his gears down the straight to salute at a valuable $13.70.
“He’s been knocking on the door,” Dale said to Racing.com post race.
“Lachie King has had a great association with him, we put the blinkers back on today and I was a bit more confident after the past three winners all drew out (barriers) and we were as well.
“He looked the winner at the furlong and it was just a matter of putting them away and I think the blinkers helped him.”
Despite drawing a wide gate King was confident in his mount.
“We drew a wide barrier but coming back in trip with the blinkers on, I was fairly confident,” King said.
“We settled three wide and in the running line midfield and he was good enough to pick them up.
“The Dale stable is an up and coming stable in this area and his feedback after races is really good.
“I suggested to him that he should bring this horse back in trip and he took the advice on board.
“He has been a bit of a frustrating horse but hopefully he can take some confidence out of the win and there are at least a few more wins in store.”
Words: Willson Mack (Wangaratta Chronicle)
