Sword of State Slashing Group 3 Victory

Date: 27 Feb 2021

Sword of State Slashing Group 3 Victory

 

Sword of State (2 c Snitzel - In the Vanguard, by Encosta De Lago) turned the $70,000 Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) into a procession when emulating his debut winning margin on Saturday at Matamata.

 

Scoring by six and a half lengths, Sword of State became the ninth Te Akau successor in the race.

A symphony of body and motion, the fluency of action by Sword of State has now seen him win three of his four starts. Following his debut victory over 1200 metres in December at Te Rapa, he did well for third to stable-mate Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) after contesting a fast pace in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 1 January at Ellerslie, and scored well in the 2YO 1100 metres on 10 February at Matamata.

Rider Troy Harris had Sword of State trucking along in front from barrier one, pinched a softer sectional from the 800m before leaving his rivals stranded at the 300m and quickened clear in machine-like fashion.

On perfect Dead4 footing, Sword of State ran the 1200 metres in a slick 1:08.7, last 600m in 34.6, to beat $1m Karaka Million 2YO winning stable-mate On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau), and paid $3.00 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB.

“I thought he was really impressive today,” said Champion Trainer Jamie Richards, who levelled the domestic stakes' wins record in a season with his 25th.

“He showed natural gate speed and it was a positive ride from Troy (Harris) to have him in front. He led easily and just kept running.

“There was fresh ground on the fence and it appeared an ideal place to be. I loved the way he quickened in off the corner and really impressed with his turn of foot. He's putting together a very good record.

“He's a colt that Dave (Ellis) bought on the Gold Coast, and part of a stallions syndicate. So, it's really important to win a stakes race as a two-year-old when we're trying to make stallions, and the team at the Colt Barn has done a really good job with him.

“He's getting better as he continues to mature and gains more experience, and looks to have an exciting future ahead of him.

“Congratulations to Troy (Harris). He's here every morning riding work for us and thoroughly deserves the success. He worked hard getting his weight down to 56.5kg, so very good commitment and he was excited to be riding the colt. He is a gifted horseman and a very important part of the team.”

Bred by Sir Owen Glenn and prepared by Newgate Farm, he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale 2020, and owned by Te Akau 2020 Four Colt Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). The syndicate encompasses a great group of owners, including Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Jo Lindsay (Cambridge Stud) and recently appointed Waikato Racing Club Chairman John Elstob and his partner Denise and long-term supporters Glenn and Catherine Holmes.

Presented by Garry Chittick in the Waikato Stud Winners' Circle, Ellis accepted the trophy on behalf of the owners.

“Firstly, thank you to Garry and Mark (Chittick) for their continued sponsorship of this race and it's nice to win it with a locally trained horse,” Ellis said.

“Well done to track manager Graham Styles and his staff for presenting the track in outstanding order and to the board of the Matamata Racing Club. It's great to come here and see such a crowd enjoying the races.

“I'm thrilled for the owners in this really exciting colt, and also our owners in On the Bubbles who ran second. He had a breather after winning the Karaka Million and I think he's got a fair bit of improvement in him.”

They are likely to clash again in the $200,000 Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) on Auckland Cup Day, 13 March, at Ellerslie.

Commenting on the colt at sales' time, Newgate Farm stud manager Jim Carey said: “He's a high quality colt, great mover, and very mature looking type.

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

“He's the sort of colt that could progress through some of the better two-year-old races in New Zealand, and hopefully end up contesting some good races in Australia.”

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

He 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.

Sword of State was strapped by Mette Mosebo.

 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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