There is plenty already to play for this Saturday on the inaugural Champions Day at Ellerslie, but runners in the $1 million Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) have an extra incentive, with the New Zealand Champion Bonus Series on the line.

Introduced by Entain New Zealand and Australia alongside New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, the Rich Hill Champion Middle Distance Series was run for the first time last season, with Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Legarto taking out the $500,000 bonus.

El Vencedor has an unassailable lead in this year’s series, with the Stephen Marsh-trained gelding scoring phenomenal victories in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m), Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m), bringing his series points tally to 17, with Snazzytavi (10 points), the only horse who could even the score, not contesting the Bonecrusher.

While the connections of El Vencedor will walk away with the $300,000 series winner’s bonus, second and third positions collect $150,000 and $50,000 respectively, and extra points are on offer for 1^st-4^th positions, with seven, five, four and two points respectively.

Perennial bridesmaids La Crique (nine points) and Qali Al Farrasha (six points) and Aotearoa Classic winner Orchestral (seven points) are all well in contention for the minor spoils, while Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) winner Wolfgang and the fast-improving Whangaehu are also in contention with a big performance on Champions Day.

After the success of the middle-distance series, the Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series gave the speedsters an opportunity to race for a lucrative bonus, also totalling $500,000. Combining races across New Zealand, Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, the Sprint Series table features a variety of horses, many of which will not run in the King’s Plate, including series leader Here To Shock.

A horse that will take his place in the $250,000 contest is Crocetti, the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) winner, who lies second in the standings on 10 points. Sacred Satono and Babylon Berlin are snapping at his heels on seven points, while Alabama Lass is back for redemption and has her chance to take the top spot on five points.