Sword of State Ready for Australian Debut

Date: 23 Aug 2021

Sword of State Ready for Australian Debut

 

Mitch Cohen of news.com.au reports:

 

Kiwi star Sword Of State virtually beat all before him in a successful New Zealand juvenile season but the Jamie Richards-trained colt will look to go to a new level in his Australian debut next Saturday.

The Group 1 winner will have his maiden start as a three-year-old when he contests what shapes as a cracking edition of the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Kembla Grange.

The likes of Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside, Everest hopeful Remarque and impressive Rosebud victor Paulele are all among the contenders for the Group 3.

It will undoubtedly be a step up from what Sword Of State faced in his home land but Richards is keen to test the classy son of Snitzel.

He had contemplated bringing Sword Of State over during the autumn for the Group 1 Sires‘ Produce Stakes but elected against bringing him across the Tasman due to the prospect of wet tracks.

Sword Of State had won all bar one of his starts in his home land highlighted by his dominant 3-1/2 length win in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes in March.


Sword Of State had only landed in Sydney earlier that week with stablemate Entriviere.

“He has settled in well,” Richards said.

“I don't really know the Kembla course well so I am not sure how he will handle it but I would say he will and we will head that way (to the San Domenico).”

“It looks like it's going to be a strong field.”

Sword Of State is a $17 chance in early markets for the Golden Rose with a second up date with the Run To The Rose the next step after the San Domenico.

Richards latest Sydney raid didn't get off to the best of starts with rising star mare Entriviere found to be mildly lame in the lead up to the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday.

She had to be scratched with her trainer indicating the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (September 11) at Randwick as a potential target.

The stable also has Probabeel ready for a first up tilt at the Group 3 Cockram Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

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