El Soldado
Trish Dunell
Don't expect to see the shock Gr.1 Auckland Cup winner El Soldado resume his hurdling career this winter.
Trainer Phillip Devcich, who races the gelding with his sister Christine Higginson and her husband Brett, said it was doubtful the horse would be seen over fences.
"We haven't talked about it, but it's unlikely."
El Soldado placed in all three of his hurdle starts in 2014 and only an injury prevented him from continuing in that role during last winter.
"He got hurt and had to have some time off and when they get older they take longer to get back and fit again," Devcich said.
El Soldado's lead-up form to this year's Auckland Cup was mediocre, but the step up to two miles was the key and the son of Colombia's staying ability has Devcich already looking to next season's marathon tests.
"He loves the 3200 metres so there's the New Zealand Cup, the Wellington Cup and the Auckland Cup again," he said. "He's a good, tough horse and he gallops around like a five-year-old.
"He'll be 10 next season and after the cups he could always go jumping again."
In the shorter-term, El Soldado is likely to be aimed toward the Listed Hawke's Bay Gold Cup on April 16.
"He's back in work now after 10 days off and he put on about 18kg," Devcich said. "If he needs a run before Hastings he could go to the Te Aroha Cup – he won that last year.
"I'll just keep him ticking over through the winter and give him a week's break or so here and there." - NZ Racing Desk.
Trainer Phillip Devcich, who races the gelding with his sister Christine Higginson and her husband Brett, said it was doubtful the horse would be seen over fences.
"We haven't talked about it, but it's unlikely."
El Soldado placed in all three of his hurdle starts in 2014 and only an injury prevented him from continuing in that role during last winter.
"He got hurt and had to have some time off and when they get older they take longer to get back and fit again," Devcich said.
El Soldado's lead-up form to this year's Auckland Cup was mediocre, but the step up to two miles was the key and the son of Colombia's staying ability has Devcich already looking to next season's marathon tests.
"He loves the 3200 metres so there's the New Zealand Cup, the Wellington Cup and the Auckland Cup again," he said. "He's a good, tough horse and he gallops around like a five-year-old.
"He'll be 10 next season and after the cups he could always go jumping again."
In the shorter-term, El Soldado is likely to be aimed toward the Listed Hawke's Bay Gold Cup on April 16.
"He's back in work now after 10 days off and he put on about 18kg," Devcich said. "If he needs a run before Hastings he could go to the Te Aroha Cup – he won that last year.
"I'll just keep him ticking over through the winter and give him a week's break or so here and there." - NZ Racing Desk.