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Hong Kong fairytale not to be for El Vencedor
LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • April 28th, 2025 12:25 pm
El Vencedor during a trackwork session at Sha Tin last week | Photo: HKJC
El Vencedor’s trip to Hong Kong to contest Sunday’s Group 1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) had the making of a fairytale for his Kiwi connections, but it was not to be, with the multiple Group One winner fading late after racing keenly throughout.
His trainer Stephen Marsh was extended an invitation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to compete at their prestigious FWD Champions Day meeting following his impressive run of form in New Zealand, including three successive Group One victories.
The Cambridge horseman was excited to test his six-year-old’s talent against the world’s best, but the trip didn’t get off to the best of starts, with El Vencedor placed under an injury cloud early last week.
The four-time Group One winner was treated for lameness in the left hind leg after arriving in Hong Kong and was restricted to light work until Tuesday morning, where he was passed suitable to complete trackwork at Sha Tin.
Marsh was pleased with El Vencedor’s progress throughout the week and was happy enough with his gelding heading into Sunday’s feature.
Under Champion Hong Kong hoop Zac Purton, El Vencedor was quick to jump from the ace barrier on Sunday and took up an early front-running position. He failed to settle and continued to race keenly, opening up several lengths on his rivals at the 1000m mark. His efforts told in the home straight, with the Kiwi hope fading to finish last.
“He jumped a length clear, got to the front and he just pulled so hard,” Marsh said. “He pulled hard into the first bend, Zac said at about the 1400m he started to go keener, and he tried to take another hold at the 800m.
“Zac got off and said he needed more Weetbix to hold him. It’s a shame, he basically just ran himself into the ground.”
While disappointed with the result, Marsh said he was proud to represent New Zealand and he believes his charge may have been overawed by the occasion.
“We got him here, we got him in the race against the world’s best, so we have still got to be very proud,” he said. “We represented New Zealand, we didn’t get the right result, but we still gave it a crack.
“We wouldn’t have done anything different. He has always had that in him a little bit, of going a bit fierce. It was new surroundings to him with the big crowd. I thought he paraded brilliantly and maybe in the run the occasion got to him a touch.
“He is the new kid on the block in these big dances. He will come back better and we might be back here one day.”
Marsh was pleased with the way El Vencedor came through the race, and will now set a plan for next season.
“He pulled up really well, he seemed quite happy with himself,” he said. “It is back to the drawing board. He is a great horse, and he will come back as a great horse.”
