El Vencedor Thriving into His Next G1 Test

Media Release - Wednesday January 15

Top-flight winner El Vencedor is in a happy place as he prepares to double his tally at the elite level.

Last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) victor enjoyed a spin around Matamata on Tuesday and the son of Shocking romped home by six lengths in the hands of Rory Hutchings in a 1200m open trial.

El Vencedor is on target for next month's Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) following his pleasing trial victory at Matamata on Tuesday.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

“He had a lovely day out, he galloped beautifully and pulled up great,” trainer Stephen Marsh said.

“He’ll be at Ellerslie on February 1 for an open 1500m and then on to the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m).

“He’s right back where we want him, he’s well and a very happy horse.”

El Vencedor won the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) in the spring but then tailed the field home in the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) before finishing a gallant third behind Snazzytavi and La Crique in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m).

“He missed the jump at Trentham, did a bit of work and the track was a bit off, but it was a below par effort before he bounced back at Ellerslie,” Marsh said.

“It was basically catch me if you can and even Rory said the mares would have to be good to beat him, as it ended up they were good enough, but I still thought he was terrific.”

Stablemate and last-start Gr.2 Rich Hil Mile (1600m) winner Bourbon Empress also stretched her legs at the trials and finished runner-up over 1000m ahead of her next test in the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie.

“She’s a mare that keeps on improving and everything we do with her, she just keeps on getting better and better,” Marsh said.

Meanwhile, Nest Egg has mixed his form in the lead-up to Saturday’s Gr.3 NZ Campus of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) and hopes of a turnaround in fortunes have been boosted by the booking of Warren Kennedy.

Advertisement

“Not a lot has gone right, but Warren seems to be the man that has always got on well with him,” Marsh said.

“The horse’s work has been great, he went out to the beach on Monday and he’s well and happy. The track should be good, so he gets his chance to get back into form, but it has been a very in and out campaign.”

Also in action at Trentham will be the promising filly Bellarista in the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and last-start winner Sinhaman in the Race With Te Akau Remutaka Classic (2100m).

“Bellarista hasn’t put a foot wrong and it’s an even field, she had her final piece of work this (Wednesday) morning and she’s hard to fault,” Marsh said.

“Sinhaman just loves getting over a bit of ground and he’s a nice, progressive horse.”

Marsh also has a big team engaged at Te Rapa on Thursday and believed Penman, runner-up in his only two starts, as one of his best chances when he steps out in the Waikato Draught Maiden (1400m).

“He’s going really well and he’s just going to need a bit of luck from the draw (11),” he said.

Marsh also reported former Champion Two-Year-Old Velocious was progressing well following a wind operation after she failed in two starts earlier this season.

“She’ll be jumping out on Friday and will head to the trials from there, she’s coming up very well,” he said.

Velocious won four of her six starts at two, including the Gr.1 Sistema (1200m) and the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Two Highest Priced Yearlings in World This Year Highlight Tattersalls October Day 1
The opening day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw two colts realise 3,700,000 guineas and 3,600,000 guineas, both exceeding the highest price for a yearling sold anywhere in the world in 2025, and five seven-figure lots.
Sword of State 2YO Ready for Debut
A pair of promising youngsters are set to make their debut for Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby at Avondale on Wednesday, but track conditions may scupper plans for one of them.
El Vencedor Achievements Recognized
El Vencedor’s golden run of form has been recognised on the world stage, with the Stephen Marsh-trained gelding rated the 10th joint best galloper in the world in the latest LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.
Briasa Boost as More Youngsters Impress on HIT Sale Eve
The timing couldn’t be better for a sale page's pedigree boost, with Briasa announcing himself as one of Australia’s most exciting sprinters following his dominant victory in Saturday’s $1 million Group Two Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
National Thoroughbred Week invites support through GoFundMe campaign
National Thoroughbred Week (NTW) is calling on the thoroughbred community and broader public to be part of history, with the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to help bring this inaugural celebration to life.
Spring Plans for El Vencedor
New Zealand’s top-rated performer El Vencedor will contest all three legs of the spring Triple Crown series.
El Vencedor Primed for Hong Kong
It is full steam ahead for the connections of El Vencedor, as the star galloper jets off to Hong Kong on Thursday in preparation for the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27.
Gimcrack Winner Bred By Cornerstone
THE "BACKSLAPPING" in the backwaters of the Barossa on Saturday afternoon, paled into insignificance when compared to the celebrations of the connections of SHIKI that won on debut!
2025 G1 Caulfield Guineas Field and Barrier Draw
A full field plus emergencies have accepted for the $3million Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday with Golden Rose runners Wodeton, Autumn Boy, Nepotism and Rivellino all engaged.
El Vencedor Overcomes Injury Scare
After overcoming an injury scare earlier in the week, fortune has turned in favour of Kiwi flyer El Vencedor, drawing barrier one for Sunday’s HK$28 million Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.