In an exhilarating turn of events, El Vencedor has bounced back with vigor, ready to make his mark at Hong Kong's Champions Day this Sunday. After a promising morning workout at Sha Tin, the New Zealand-trained horse is all set to showcase his talent on a grand stage.

Joining El Vencedor in representing New Zealand are the spectacular Mr Brightside in the Champions Mile and the speedy Ka Ying Rising in the Chairman's Sprint, adding to the excitement of the highly anticipated race day.

Crocetti’s Anticipation Builds for The Quokka

Meanwhile, New Zealand's Crocetti will be on the starting line for the prestigious A$5 million ($5.35 million) Quokka in Perth this Saturday, kicking off from barrier 7. This Railway winner, trained by the duo of Danny Walker and Arron Tata, is gearing up to compete against seasoned contenders, including two-time champion Overpass.

"We’ve seen good competition ahead of us, but we believe Crocetti is poised for a strong outing," expressed co-trainer Danny Walker after a successful morning training session. He added, "We took him to brunch with the stars and he galloped impressively on the course, which has us feeling optimistic for Saturday’s race. A bit of luck certainly wouldn’t hurt!"

Ranked as a $21 outsider by the TAB, Crocetti will be ridden by renowned jockey Craig Williams, who is set for a busy weekend, with plans to jet off to Hong Kong Saturday night to team up with Mr Brightside.

Exciting Times Ahead for New Zealand's Stallions

As the spring season approaches, New Zealand's equestrian spotlight is not just on the racetracks but also on the breeding front. Cambridge Stud has announced its stallion fees for the upcoming season, showcasing a stellar lineup of five stallions that continue to impress.

With Chalidan leading the pack at $35,000 and Almanzor along with Hello Youmzain both at $30,000, these stallions are set to attract a flurry of interest. The only notable change is for Sword Of State, whose fee has seen a modest increase from $15,000 to $20,000. Given his stellar performance at the yearling sales—with a top lot fetching $540,000 and an impressive average of over $200,000—his popularity is sure to soar.

With such promising results, Sword Of State is likely to fill his breeding book quickly as he eagerly awaits the opportunity to make waves with his first crop of runners hitting the racetrack.