“Watch out, he’s back.” That’s the warning from trainer Stephen Marsh following the return to winning form of former New Zealand Horse of the Year El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) in the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Tuesday.
El Vencedor jumped away well and was sent forward from his wide alley by champion jockey Craig Grylls to take up his customary pace-making role. He continued to set terms up front and showed glimpses of his former self when applying pressure and opening up on his rivals with 600m to go.
He entered the straight a couple of lengths clear of the pack, and he continued to hold them at bay before race favourite Top Shelf (NZ) (Savabeel) began to close late, but El Vencedor was able to rally and cling on to score by a long head, with a further half-length back to Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) in third.
While Grylls had ridden El Vencedor once before in a trial, it was his first time on him on raceday, and he was pleased to reward the faith of his connections.
“I have seen him do that plenty of times, but it is the first time I have ever been on him,” Grylls said. “They could have had anyone else on who has won on him, so I am very privileged.
“It probably looked like I had gone a bit soon, but at the 800m he came up underneath me and I literally couldn’t have gone any slower. I had to hold onto him as long as I could and he still found a nice kick at the 200m.”
It was El Vencedor’s third consecutive win in the Balmerino Stakes, and his first since last year’s edition, and trainer Stephen Marsh was delighted to see him back in the winning groove.
“It is awesome to see that horse back in winning form. For me, the stable and the owners, who are both here today, it just means so much,” he said.
“This is the horse that got our stable going. Last year he was Horse of the Year. You can’t describe the feeling. He is a multiple Group One winner, and I know it is not a Group One today, but it meant as much seeing him back. I am so proud of him, and I really felt that one today.
“He is a marvel and the way he paraded today I thought if he doesn’t hit form today, I was going to be worried, and I am just so proud he did.”
Marsh admitted to being slightly anxious when seeing El Vencedor kick for home a long way out.
“I thought ‘gee Gryllsy, I think you have gone a couple of strides too early’, but he is last year’s champion jockey,” Marsh said. “I thought he would be a great addition to this horse. There is still improvement there.
“Watch out, he’s back.”
Two years ago, following his first Balmerino triumph, El Vencedor went on to place in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) before posting four consecutive wins, including the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m), and Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m), and Marsh said they are once again in their sights this season.
“The Zabeel Classic and Herbie Dyke, that’s where we want him back, and that is where he can be,” he said.
