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 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.”
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
