Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh was a relieved man following El Vencedor’s return to winning form in the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Tuesday.
The reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year was a standout in autumn, winning four consecutive Group One races before heading to Hong Kong where he was unplaced in the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m).
He returned this season to finish fifth and seventh in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) and Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) respectively before finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) where he was run down late by the fast-finishing Waitak.
Punters took confidence from that run and backed El Vencedor into a $1.50 favourite on Tuesday.
He jumped well and jockey Wiremu Pinn pushed him forward to take an early lead before quickly handing up to Sagunto, who set a solid temp upfront.
Pinn kept a cool head and stalked the leader, drawing alongside him at the turn before putting in his customary powerhouse performance down the home straight to score a 2-1/4 length victory over Diamond Jak, with a further three-quarters of a length back to Sharp ‘N’ Smart in third.
“I was bloody nervous before that race,” Marsh said. “There’s the expectation and you just hope such a horse is back to his best.
“I thought Wiremu rode him beautifully, he didn’t panic, and the race panned out how we thought. I am very relieved.
“I am very proud of the horse, it is great to see him back at his best. There is a lot of satisfaction for me and our team, there is nothing better than that.”
Pinn has established a strong partnership with El Vencedor, and Marsh was quick to heap praise on the talented hoop.
“Wiremu gets on well with him. I am happy for him too, he helps us out a lot and he deserves that,” Marsh said.
El Vencedor is now set to follow a similar programme he did last summer and Marsh is hoping he can replicate those results that landed him the New Zealand Horse of the Year crown.
“It is a pretty easy path to follow,” Marsh said. “We might end up down at the TAB Mile (Gr.1, 1600m) and then come back up for the Zabeel (Gr.1, 2000m).
“We will get him home and make sure he is good. Those big summer 2000m races is where he will be.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
