Rare Ellerslie achievement within El Vencedor’s reach

[Wandering Eyes]

Ellerslie has been the scene of some of El Vencedor’s most memorable performances, and Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) could see the reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year become only the second horse to win four Group One races at the Auckland track.

El Vencedor recorded his first Group One win with a giant-killing victory over $1.20 favourite Legarto in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) in March of 2024. He returned last season to add the Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and a repeat result in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes as part of a campaign that also featured a Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) win at Te Rapa.

In the almost five decades since the Group and Listed structure was introduced in New Zealand, the only four-time Group One winner at Ellerslie was Hall of Fame inductee Horlicks, who captured two editions of the Air New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and two editions of the DB Draught Classic (2000m).

Saturday’s Livamol Classic will be the third start of the season for El Vencedor, who resumed with an eye-catching fifth in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on September 6. He crossed the line only two lengths behind the winner Quintessa.

In the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) on a Heavy9 track at Te Rapa three weeks later, the seven-year-old son of Shocking finished seventh and four lengths behind Waitak.

“I’ve been happy with his performances in both of those first two legs of the Triple Crown,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “His first-up run in the Proisir at Ellerslie was great, and then he wasn’t bad in the Mile at Te Rapa either. I think that race just showed that he really prefers better footing these days. He’ll get that at Ellerslie.

“As far as everything he’s doing at home goes, he’s just kept getting better and better with each race under his belt.

“Wiremu Pinn rides him again on Saturday, he gets on well with the horse. I think El Vencedor could be the real improver heading into the third leg of the series.”

Two other factors in El Vencedor’s favour are the increasing distance and the return to Ellerslie. The Livamol is run over a similar trip to his 2000m Herbie Dyke Stakes and back-to-back Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes successes. His seven starts at Ellerslie, meanwhile, have produced five black-type wins.

“Going up to 2000m and being back at Ellerslie are really key,” Marsh said.

El Vencedor headlines a big day at Ellerslie on Saturday for Marsh, who also has last-start Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) placegetter Little Black Dress and super-impressive debut winner Well Written contesting the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m).

In the Elsdon Park (1400m), the Cambridge trainer will be represented by Group Two winner Bourbon Empress and dominant first-up winner Tardelli.

“Little Black Dress was much better last start and wasn’t beaten far by those two top fillies (Tajana and Lollapalooza),” Marsh said. “She was still a bit wayward, so we’ve added blinkers. She’s galloped in blinkers and seems to have her mind a bit more on the job. I think she’s really improved.

“Well Written is a lovely filly and won brilliantly on debut. She’s taking on the big girls now, but she’s pretty exciting.

“Tardelli was hugely impressive first-up. He couldn’t have won that race any better.

“Going from 57.5kg to 60.5kg is never easy second-up, and especially against a talented field this weekend. But he’s a big, strong horse that we rate very highly and we really think he can do it. He hasn’t missed a beat since his first-up win.

“Bourbon Empress is coming up well too. Her two trials were both very nice, and especially the last one which was terrific. She gets in nicely with 54kg and I think she’ll run well. They’re both horses that could be running in some big races this season.”

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