Group 1 winner Alenquer targets maiden Australian victory in Pakenham Cup

Former Group 1 winner Alenquer eyes his first Australian victory in Saturday’s Pakenham Cup after an 18-month injury lay-off and gradual return to form.

A long wait for a maiden Australian win could end for Alenquer’s connections in Saturday’s $300,000 Pakenham Cup.

Alenquer was a Group 1 winner in Ireland in 2022 before finishing midfield in that year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) but has only had 10 starts in the ensuing three years.

Clients of the late Mike Moroney imported Alenquer to Australia initially without success in the autumn of 2023 before the gelding pulled up with a tendon injury after running in the Melbourne Cup that spring.

Alenquer spent 18 months away from racing before getting back to the trials for new trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes in May this year.

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The French-bred stayer got back to the races in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) in September, steadily improving with racing through the spring.

Alenquer finished second at his third run back in the Group 3 JRA Cup at The Valley before taking on Via Sistina in the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington in Melbourne Cup week.

Ben Hayes said Alenquer showed he was ready to win with his last-start fourth to the promising stayer She’s A Hustler in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield.

“His first two runs were about getting rid of the rust because he hadn’t raced for so long but he was huge at The Valley,” Hayes said.

“He ran really well over Cup Week when out of his depth over 2000(m).

“It was a very good run the other day. He gave us a shout but ran into a couple of good ones.”

Alenquer sustained a long-term leg injury when unplaced in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Picture: Getty Images.

Alenquer has competed on heavy and soft tracks at his last two outings but Hayes said horses that have had tendon trouble preferred to race on solid surfaces.

He said the Pakenham Cup should be run on firmer footing than Alenquer’s recent runs but the track should still have enough give to enable the import to show his best form.

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“We’re very happy with him,” Hayes said.

“I think he’ll enjoy getting on to a firmer surface.

“He handles wet tracks but the Pakenham track has nice give in it at the moment with the rain they have had.

“I think he’ll run well.

“He’ll also drop a bit in weight, going from weight-for-age back to handicap conditions, and the 2500(m) will be nice for him.”

Bookies rated Alenquer as a $9 chance in early Pakenham Cup betting, putting him on the fourth line of betting behind the Chris Waller-trained Etna Rosso ($4), Black Run ($4.50) and Skippers Canyon ($5).

Originally published as Group 1 winner Alenquer targets maiden Australian victory in Pakenham Cup