El Luchador
Trish Dunell
Lightly race staying prospect El Luchador showed he could well be a contender for higher honours later in the summer with a comprehensive performance to score handsomely at Pukekohe on Saturday.
The Mark Brooks trained five-year-old took out the day's opening event, the Mount Shop sponsored rating 85 2400 metre contest, to bring up career win number four from just 14 starts. Settled beautifully just off the speed by rider Samantha Collett the El Hermano gelding demonstrated a stunning turn of foot to dash to the lead early in the run home before cruising to the line just over two lengths clear of his nearest rival.
His trainer was delighted with the victory as he contemplated just what the immediate future holds for his charge.
"It was a good run, good ride and everything went our way," he said.
"He definitely likes a bit of rain around. He's nominated for a couple of those better races on New Year's Day but whether we go to the Dunstan Final or the City Of Auckland Cup will depend on what the weather does.
"He's a bit older this time in and has been very consistent."
The win also added to the successful run for the gelding's owners and breeders, Frank and Faye Drummond, who stand his sire El Hermano at their Cheval Stud property. The Drummonds also bred and race Gr. 1 Makfi Challenge Stakes runner-up El Pescado who finished second in the Gr. 2 Tauranga Stakes at his most recent start. – NZ Racing Desk
The Mark Brooks trained five-year-old took out the day's opening event, the Mount Shop sponsored rating 85 2400 metre contest, to bring up career win number four from just 14 starts. Settled beautifully just off the speed by rider Samantha Collett the El Hermano gelding demonstrated a stunning turn of foot to dash to the lead early in the run home before cruising to the line just over two lengths clear of his nearest rival.
His trainer was delighted with the victory as he contemplated just what the immediate future holds for his charge.
"It was a good run, good ride and everything went our way," he said.
"He definitely likes a bit of rain around. He's nominated for a couple of those better races on New Year's Day but whether we go to the Dunstan Final or the City Of Auckland Cup will depend on what the weather does.
"He's a bit older this time in and has been very consistent."
The win also added to the successful run for the gelding's owners and breeders, Frank and Faye Drummond, who stand his sire El Hermano at their Cheval Stud property. The Drummonds also bred and race Gr. 1 Makfi Challenge Stakes runner-up El Pescado who finished second in the Gr. 2 Tauranga Stakes at his most recent start. – NZ Racing Desk