Sword Cuts Through the Opposition

Date: 13 Jan 2019

Sword Cuts Through the Opposition

 

High-class galloper Sword of Osman(3 g Savabeel - Bunyah, by Distant View) resumed off 64 days with a convincing victory in the $25,000 Auckland Co-op Taxis 3YO 1200 metres on 13 January at Ellerslie.

A course winner of the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) as a two-year-old, Sword of Osman rounded out Group One, Two, and Three with additional wins in the Sarten Memorial Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m), and Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m).

He was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for $165,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, prepared by Trelawney Stud for breeder Joan Egan, and has now won five of his 10 starts for the Te Akau Great Sword Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“He was a nominee for Champion Two-Year-Old that we won with Avantage (Fastnet Rock), and I remember after I inspected the yearling draft at Trelawney Stud and I sent Joan (Egan) a text as I left, saying: “I've just seen a top horse for the future, one that you've bred. He's been beautifully prepared and if ever I've seen a racehorse in the making it will be him”, Ellis said.

“He's got some terrific owners and he's a great looking horse with plenty of strength and a very natural galloper. Again, he's another very good horse that we've bought by Savabeel.”

Despite carrying 60.5kgs, Sword of Osman was clearly highest rated over four rivals and strongly supported to return $1.60 & $1.10 on the NZ TAB tote. Going forward from barrier five to race quite keenly outside the leader, he took over comfortably once balanced in the straight and never appeared in danger.

“He needed the run but it was pretty much like a track gallop for him,” said rider Opie Bosson. “It should bring him on nicely for a couple of weeks. He pulled me into the race turning for home and was just going too good. He did it under his own steam and it's exciting.”

On Good3 footing, he ran the 1200 metres in 1:10.0, last 600m in 35, winning by one and a quarter lengths.

Freshened by Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards since the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) in November, Sword of Osman pleased in a couple of exhibition gallops and had the race earmarked on his way to contesting the Mongolian Khan Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Karaka Million night (Jan. 26), a race won last year by stable-mate Melody Belle (Commands).

“It was a nice little hit-out for him and he has to carry a bit of weight again in a couple of weeks,” Richards said. “He'll meet a stronger field, but that will tighten him up nicely and he's in the zone.

“The team at home have done a good job, really taken good care of him and he presented very well.”

Asked if 1200 - 1400m would be his go, now? Richards said: “I think that's what he's trying to tell us. I guess it was hard to tell at Riccarton (2000 Guineas) over a mile on a soft track, but I'm not saying we wouldn't try it again at some stage. For now he'll be 1200 and 1400 and he does it very well.”

Sword of Osman was strapped by Mette Mosebo.

 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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