Te Rapa Exhibition Excellence
Date: 15 Feb 2022
Champion Two-Year-Old Sword of State (3 c Snitzel - In the Vanguard, by Encosta De Lago) and classy filly Outfit (3 f Tivaci - Costume, by Savabeel) had an exhibition gallop between races on Legends Day (Saturday 12 February) at Te Rapa.
Under showery skies on Slow7 footing, Outfit, with Kozzi Asano aboard, was tracked by Sword of State, ridden by Opie Bosson. Levelling in the straight, they each stretched out very well with Outfit seemingly more comfortable in the conditions.
Bred by Sir Owen Glenn, prepared by Newgate Farm, Sword of State was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at Gold Coast Yearling Sale 2020.
The first runner and first winner for Te Akau 2020 Four Colt Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), when blowing his rivals away by six and a half lengths on debut over 1200 metres at Te Rapa, Sword of State has won five of nine starts, most recently the Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Karaka Million night (22 Jan.) at Ellerslie, and has topped $250,000 in prize money.
Sword of State is preparing to trial before racing commences on Wednesday 23 February at Pukekohe, prior to resuming in the $100,000 King's Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Derby Day (Saturday 5 March) at Ellerslie.
While Outfit, in training for Waikato Stud, having missed the Oaks' Prelude (Listed, 1800m) through abandonment on 5 February at New Plymouth, will contest either the Lowland Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) on 2 March at Hastings, or the Sunline Vase (Gr. 2, 2100m) on 5 March at Ellerslie.
Back