Bates tops off a great couple of days for Irish riders in Australia

Following on from Tuesday's big race success for Shane Jackson in the Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool his good friend Declan Bates followed up in Wednesday's feature at the course in Victoria, Australia.

Bates rode the 6/4 favourite Too Close The Sun to a one length victory in the A$225,000 Warrnambool Cup.

Too Close The Sun, you absolute beauty! ☀️ @LSmithRacing #TheBool pic.twitter.com/r9HL8cF5cH

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 6, 2020

Bates first rode in Australia in 2012 as part of the Irish National Hunt Jockeys Team and moved there permanently in 2015 having being encouraged to do so by Jackson. Both now live with their families in Warrnambool.

Winning trainer Lindsey Smith said afterwards: “He got an easier run than I expected, but Declan is showing his true colours as a jockey at the moment. He works hard and he gets the rewards.”