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El Soldado wins 2016 Barfoot & Thompson Auck. Cup Group 1 NZ$500,000 at Ellerslie (NZ), 3200m.
El Soldado jumped away fairly and was midfield but rather wide when they settled. Darryl Bradley, aboard El Soldado, made a sharp move before the field reached the home straight (a round still remaining) to be sixth and in a surprise move pulled wide, ran around them and took over the pace at the judge with another circuit to run. At the 1600m they were unchallenged and going along comfortably in the lead, which they still held rounding the home bend where Bradley tried to break clear. Into the home straight, they had three lengths on the field and going boldly. With 200m left Bradley gave the nine-year-old a couple of slaps down his off shoulder and they kept up their strong gallop. El Soldado ground his way to the line and held on gallantly, at the huge odds of $125.
Rose Of Virginia was midfield at the 1000m, one off the rails and moved up between the 600m and 500m, tracking the favourite, Sacred Master. She found space on his outside and had trouble passing him but when she did set her sights on the winner but the post came up too soon in a dour stayer's finish.
Sacred Master moved into the race before the home straight, threw out his challenge but came to the end of his run at the 200m yet batted well to hold third.