Ecuador (NZ) Stays the Distance

The Gai Waterhouse trained Karaka graduate Ecuador (NZ) (High Chaparral) outstayed his rivals to win the A$101,000 Listed WJ McKell Cup (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Although it was Ecuador’s first attempt at the distance, he handled it with ease and now heads to the Group 2 Brisbane Cup in two weeks after leading all the way to add the McKell Cup to his Lord Mayor’s Cup win earlier in the month.

“He’s been a slow maturer and I’ve been very patient with him,” Waterhouse said. “He was fantastic today and the Brisbane Cup looks ideal.”

Ecuador has rediscovered his best since his trainer removed the blinkers on the advice of Tim Clark after the Hawkesbury Gold Cup two starts ago. Clark told Waterhouse he didn’t believe the six-year-old was putting his all into his work and advised the trainer to remove the blinkers and make the gelding lead.

With Adam Hyeronimus aboard and carrying 59.5kg, Ecuador made his way to the front with not too much trouble and defied any attempt to get past him.

He had one and three-quarter lengths to spare over Iggi Pop (NZ) (Savabeel) with the same margin to Havana Cooler (Hurricane Run) with Raw Impulse (Makfi) another half length behind.

Purchased from Esker Lodge at the 2011 Premier Sale for $360,000 by Amanda Skiffington, Ecuador is now the winner of eight races from 27 starts and more than A$696,000 in prize-money.

A son of the Danske mare Bak Da Princess (NZ), Ecuador is a full-brother to the Group 1 winner Pondarosa Miss (NZ). – AAP TURF