They may have finished on opposing ends of tight photos in Group 1 races on either side of the Tasman, but El Vencedor and Mr Brightside both remain on track for FWD Champions Day in Hong Kong next month after their respective efforts last weekend.
El Vencedor made it three Group 1 wins in a row and four across his career in the G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m), outgunning classy mare La Crique after a stretch duel that would have made the great Bonecrusher proud. He is now bound for the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27.
“He’s airborne, he’s flying,” Marsh told Idol Horse. “I’ve just gone over him this morning and he looks great, couldn’t be better. He’s such a hard horse to dent, he loves the game and his attitude is awesome. It’s fair to say we haven’t spared him, he’s won three Group 1 races in a month so we can afford to give him a few quiet days.
“He’ll go out into the paddock today (Monday), just a nice little let-up away from the stables where he can put his head down and relax. We’ll bring him back, give him a raceday gallop and perhaps a trial – we’ll make sure most of the work is done before he gets on the plane.”
A son of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, El Vencedor was bred by his owners Mark Freeman and David Price. A half-brother to 2021 Hong Kong Derby winner Sky Darci, the six-year-old was initially tested as a sprinter before living up to his pedigree over middle distances, winning the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes twice as well as the G1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the G1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m).
“Early in his career, he just wanted to go a little bit hard – it was a bit of a disaster to be honest,” Marsh said. “He was running in good open sprints but as he has matured, he has started to relax more and more. We always thought he was very good but he’s become better at his trade with every preparation. Eventually we got him to a mile and now 2000m and now he’s really come into his own.”
El Vencedor will fly to Hong Kong on April 17 and will be accompanied by what Marsh refers to as his “secret weapon” – former jockey Emma Smith, who travelled six Hong Kong International Sale drafts to Sha Tin for Bruce Harvey’s Ascot Farm.
“Emma rides him in his work every day and she knows the lay of the land at Sha Tin,” he said. “She’s been there so many times before and I think she’ll help him settle in well. I know that when I’ve taken horses away and you don’t know where to go, what to do, it’s just unsettling for everyone. She’s such an important part of the team and she’s certainly our secret weapon.”
Some of the world’s best horses await El Vencedor in Hong Kong, including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath, Tokyo Yushun hero Tastiera, Cox Plate runner-up Prognosis and globetrotter Dubai Honour.
Three-time QEII Cup winner Romantic Warrior also remains a possible runner, although trainer Danny Shum has indicated he is unlikely to race again this season after the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) on April 5.
“We may be David taking on Goliath, but don’t forget that David won,” Marsh said. “You dream of being in the conversation there with some of the best in the world. Even just getting the invite, you hear of other horses getting invited and it’s never your own but now is his time to shine. It’s a massive thrill for all of us.
“He is a life-changing horse in so many ways – for us, for the owners, for the whole team. I’ve never stepped foot in Hong Kong but I can’t wait to get there.”
Mr Brightside continued his great record in the G1 All-Star Mile (1600m), although he was beaten once again in the Victorian feature. His second on Saturday was his fourth All-Star Mile attempt: previously, he finished fourth to Zaaki at Flemington in 2022, won at Moonee Valley in 2023 and was second to Pride Of Jenni at Caulfield in 2024.
Following his second to Tom Kitten, co-trainer Ben Hayes confirmed that a trip to Hong Kong remained on the agenda. Before he heads to Sha Tin, though, Mr Brightside may travel north to Sydney for the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 22. Surprisingly, should he run, it will be his first time at Rosehill.
“We’re going to keep him to a mile these days, I don’t think he’ll go to 2000m – at least not this preparation,” Hayes said. “We’ll keep the sprint in his legs. He jarred up a bit on the firm track on Saturday, we were going to go to the George Ryder at 1500m but it might come up a bit quickly.
“We are happy to go to the Champions Mile without a run before then, we can give him plenty of work before he goes up. And we aren’t ruling out the George Ryder either. There are options but all roads lead to Hong Kong.”
Should Mr Brightside make it to FWD Champions Day, he may add to a strong Hayes team at the meeting. Hayes’ father David will saddle up Ka Ying Rising in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), while his likely BMW Hong Kong Derby favourite Rubylot could run in either the Champions Mile or QEII Cup.
While travel awaits El Vencedor and Mr Brightside, one horse set to remain at home is G1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner Joliestar.
Trainer Chris Waller and assistant Charlie Duckworth both mentioned Royal Ascot in the aftermath of Joliestar’s devastating Newmarket victory, but Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre said a Northern Hemisphere campaign was “highly unlikely” for the mare.
“It’s a long way to go to Ascot and I’m sure she could run really well there, but it would be difficult to get her back to Australia and have her competitive the following year,” he said. “By then, she’ll be a six-year-old before you really get her going again. If we keep her between Sydney and Melbourne, there’s so much racing for a good sprinting mare like her.
“She may have another crack at The Everest, and that wouldn’t be possible if we went to Ascot.”
Joliestar finished seventh to Bella Nipotina in last year’s G1 The Everest (1200m) as favourite ∎
