El Vencedor Primed for Hong Kong

Media Release - Tuesday April 15

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.

El Vencedor pictured during his exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Sunday.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

El Vencedor has been unstoppable in New Zealand’s middle-distance ranks over the summer, winning three consecutive elite-level crowns in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m).

The popular gelding’s stellar form did not go unnoticed on the global stage, rated joint-10th in the latest LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings and receiving an invitation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to compete at the spectacle that is FWD Champions Day.

Stephen Marsh, alongside owner-breeders David Price and Mark Freeman swiftly accepted the offer, mapping out a plan that has gone smoothly to date. El Vencedor appeared at Ellerslie, the scene of so many of his successes, for an impressive trial win on April 3, before stepping out for an exhibition gallop on Sunday at Te Rapa. 

“He’s done everything we wanted to see,” Marsh said. “I thought his trial was great, then he galloped up beautifully on Sunday at Te Rapa and he pulled up really well.

“We felt we’d given him enough after the Bonecrusher, he was fit and we just had to keep that fitness there. We haven’t been easy on him through the season, so he’s bang on.

“He’s in a great vein of form, he’s feeling well and he looks a million dollars. I’m really looking forward to getting him over there.”

Advertisement

After being carefully managed in their Cambridge barn, the son of Shocking will fly out of Auckland on Thursday with his trackwork rider Emma Smith, with Marsh to join them later in the week.

“He’s had all his own gear and the same handlers, we’ve been careful without excluding him from the other horses,” Marsh said. “We’re just trying to keep everything perfect and so far, so good.

“He flies out on Thursday and I’ll be travelling a couple of days later, Emma has been up there many a time and I’ll arrive there on Saturday.

“It’s a great buzz for the whole team, all the workers, his owners, and the rest of our clients as well, everyone is really getting behind us.

“It’s an unreal feeling.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
El Vencedor Crowned NZ Horse of the Year
Rich Hill Stud’s standing as a centre of thoroughbred excellence has been further emphasised with El Vencedor named New Zealand’s Horse of the Year.
Mogumber Park hoists wet sail with Marine One
This time last year, the first foals by Mogumber Park stallion Marine One were widely regarded as some of the best types on the ground in Western Australia.
Kiwi Sires a Recipe for NZB Ready to Run Sale Success
Much of the NZB Ready to Run Sale’s extraordinary success has been underpinned by the stallions that have stood in New Zealand in recent decades.
New Stakes-Winner for Zoustar
The $150,000 Listed Hannan’s Handicap (1400m) provided reigning champion sire Zoustar with a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding Multinational led for home and could not be caught.
Four Winners for Dennis
Local trainer Robert Dennis won half of the eight-race card at Ascot Park on Friday, culminating with a special win by Sir Sterling in the Vale Tony Dennis (1400m).
Captivant Colt Shines at Warwick Farm Trials
Captivant’s burgeoning reputation for producing precocious 2YOs took another leap forward at today’s Warwick Farm trials, with Courthezon powering to victory in Heat 10.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
We had three heats for 2YO’s run at Warwick Farm on Friday morning over 815m with winners by Farnan, Ole Kirk and Kia Ora Stud’s first season sire Captivant, while Stay Inside had an impressive trial winner at Murray Bridge.
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.
Who Was Flight?
A G1 race since 1984, the Flight Stakes is a race won by special fillies - often the ones who go on to do extraordinary things on the track against all comers as older mares and that's as it should be as Hall Of Fame legend Flight exemplified that style of thoroughbred.
2YO Stakes Racing – Sale Mail
Three stakes races for new season juveniles add plenty of interest to a stellar day of racing this Saturday in Sydney and Melbourne, so let’s take a look at the Sale Mail for these races.