G1 Season Reflections - Sword Of State

That Sword of State (2 c Snitzel - In the Vanguard, by Encosta De Lago) became a Group One winner as a two-year-old was no real surprise.

A class above when blowing his rivals away by six and a half lengths in the 2YO 1200 metres on Waikato Cup Day (12 December) at Te Rapa. He travelled sweetly at the head of affairs, cut a pretty picture when clearing out, and a symphony of body and motion at the line. Straight into the Impressive Winners database on debut. 

The first runner and first winner for the Te Akau 2020 Four Colt Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was bred by Sir Owen Glenn, prepared by Newgate Farm, and purchased by David Ellis for $600,000 at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale 2020.

And he came with a seal of approval from Newgate Farm stud manager Jim Carey, who said at the time of purchase: “He's a high-quality colt, great moving, sharp looking individual, and a very mature type.

“We've always held him in high regard and he just continued to improve throughout the sales preparation. 

“His dam was an extremely fast daughter of Encosta De Lago and she's thrown a colt that looks exactly the same mould as she - all speed. 

“He's always been one our favourites at the farm and a beautiful colt from the day he was born. We're thrilled that a great judge like David Ellis was able to secure him.” 

At his second start, Sword of State was beaten by stable-mate Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 1 January at Ellerslie, a race in which he did well for third after contesting a fast pace. It was his only defeat in five starts for the season. 

He had to stretch, but looked good doing so, when quickening home to score by a neat length in the 2YO 1100 metres on 10 February at Matamata, before turning the Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) into a procession and emulating his debut winning margin (6.5 lengths). 

In the process, he beat Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winning stable-mate On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau) and became the ninth Te Akau successor in the race on Breeders' Stakes Day at Matamata. 

Primed and ready, he was all the rage in the $200,000 Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) and it would have taken a crowbar to prize Opie Bosson from the saddle.

Having won four of the previous five renditions, Te Akau stable-mates Sword of State and On the Bubbles had a mortgage on the race, and finished first and second respectively - but Sword of State was dominant.

Straight to lead from barrier two, he travelled up economically passing the 600m and raced clear over the final furlong to win by three and a half lengths.

On Dead4 footing, Sword of State trucked over the 1200 metres in 1:09.5, last 600m in a sizzling 33.0, and governed betting to pay $1.60. 

“He's a valuable colt now,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “Dave (Ellis) and Mark (Walker) picked him out on the Gold Coast, paid a fair bit of money and got him syndicated among some great people. 

“It's great to see him continue to improve. I think that's the best thing about him. He was bred to be out and going before Christmas, but it wasn't quite fitting together so we gave him a break. He's come back in great shape and really going through his gears nicely now. 

“The race worked out as planned, to put them both up on the speed. He obviously likes being in front and it's valuable when a two-year-old can find the rail. 

“The team have done a great job, Scott Lucock and Mette Mosebo who look after him at the Colt Barn, so I can't thank the whole team enough.”

The ownership group contains former Sistema owner Brendan Lindsay MNZM and his wife, Jo Lindsay, who now own Cambridge Stud. 

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, said: “To have Brendan and Jo involved in the ownership and to win what is essentially ‘their' race is as big a thrill as you can get, so congratulations to them and all the owners in this high-calibre colt.”

From a very fast family and a standout colt at the sales, Sword of State is the first foal from Encosta De Lago mare In the Vanguard, and his sire, Snitzel (Redoute's Choice), is a multiple Champion Australian Sire. 

The colt carries a Danehill cross through his sire line and on the dam side of In the Vanguard, as the sire of grand-dam sire Danzero.

Future standing rights in Sword of State have been secured by Cambridge Stud.

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