Kiwi Wins First International Race in South Korea

Karaka graduate El Padrino (NZ) (Mr Nancho) was the dominant winner of the S$300,000 Asia Challenge Cup on Sunday in South Korea, the first international invitation race in the country.

Travelling to South Korea from trainer Alwin Tan’s Singapore base, El Padrino became the first Singapore-based horse to win at Seoul Racecourse.

Entering the race in stellar form, the son of Mr Nancho was a decisive come-from-behind winner in the Sgp-3 Woodlands Handicap at his last start on the Polytrack at Kranji. The racing surface at Seoul was a similar sand-based track that suited the Polytrack specialist.

Stepping up to 1400m for rider David Flores, who is unbeaten on El Padrino, the six-year-old was suited to the fast early pace and cleared away from the field in the straight to win by two-lengths in a time of 1.23.8 with his trademark turn of foot on show once again.

It wasn’t the kiwi-bred galloper’s first overseas trip having been a winner in Dubai when he campaigned there in 2012. Transferred to Tan’s stable at the beginning of the year, El Padrino has won three races for Tan this season, his other two victories were both at stakes level.

The win takes El Padrino’s earnings past S$800,000 for his owners the One Eight Eight Stable.

El Padrino went through the Karaka Sale Ring twice, firstly as a weanling when purchased for $10,000 by Noel Nicholson of Endsleigh Thoroughbreds at the 2009 National Weanling Sale, he was then reoffered as a two-year-old when Mr Soon Hock Lee purchased him for $56,000 at the 2010 Ready to Run Sale from Endsleigh Thoroughbreds.

Bred by Assured Assets Pty Ltd, El Padrino is out of unraced mare Crownie (Luskin Star), a half-sister to Listed Ascot Stakes winner Nullabor (Military Plume).

Back in El Pardrino’s native Singapore, kiwis enjoyed more success winning five of the 11 races at Kranji on Sunday. Young Wellfield Stud stallion Alamosa sired a double with Karaka Ready to Run Sale graduate Alasamo (NZ) and Karaka Premier Sale graduate A La Victory (NZ) both successful. Fellow Karaka Premier Sale graduate Dylan (NZ) (Darci Brahma) was a winner along with National Weanling Sale graduate These Streets (NZ) (Elusive City) and Cheetah on Fire (NZ) (One Cool Cat) rounded out a good day for New Zealand-bred gallopers.