King’s English scores at Ellerslie

Well-bred three-year-old King’s English (Snitzel) returned to winning form at Ellerslie on Saturday when taking out the Trackside.co.nz 1100.

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have held the son of Snitzel in high regard for some time, however, injury derailed his two-year-old preparation and he made his debut at Taupo last September.

He placed in his first two starts before breaking through for a maiden win at Te Aroha in November, and he doubled his tally at his next start before posting unplaced results in subsequent Group Three assignments.

Punters kept their faith and backed him into a $5.20 second favourite on Saturday behind the David Greene-trained Biding My Time (NZ) (Circus Maximus).

King’s English was only fair away out of the gates and soon found himself back midfield under jockey Masa Hashizume, but he continued to improve alongside the rail to eventually find the back of pacemaker Shiniqua (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) at the top of the straight.

Hashizume eyed a gap outside a tiring Shiniqua and King’s English shot through it and quickly found the lead inside Bulgari (NZ) (Hello Youmzain), and he was able to continue his momentum to the line to post a long head victory over the Group Three performer.

Bergerson was pleased to see his charge return to winning form.

“He is a really talented horse on his day,” Bergerson said. “It is a shame he had such a bad setback as a two-year-old, he missed his whole racing season.

“He has shown on many occasions now that he is more than capable. That was a good field and it was a good ride by Masa.

“He didn’t jump that well but he recovered nicely, he waited for the gap and I was really impressed by how he quickened when he had to, and he was really strong to the line.

“It was a good win.”

Bergerson is unsure what the next step is with King’s English, but securing black-type is top of mind for the son of dual Group One winner and former Australian Two and Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year English (Encosta de Lago), who Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis purchased out of Newhaven Park’s 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale draft for A$700,000.

“He is extremely well bred and he is still a colt,” Bergerson said. “It was a fork in the road moment today, he ticked the box so we will get him home, see how he comes through it and sit down and have a good think.

“He has got plenty of gears, so it is exciting going forward.”