The Sword Slashes Them

Incredibly dominant, Sword of Osman (2 g Savabeel - Bunyah, by Distant View) provided Te Akau with their sixth winner in the $70,000 Reid & Harrison Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Saturday at Matamata.

An impressive debut winner in the 2YO Premier 1100 metres in December at Awapuni, Sword of Osman finished eighth to stable-mate Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) at Ellerslie, but rectified the situation to win easing down by five and three-quarter lengths.

On Dead5 footing, Sword of Osman ran the 1200 metres in 1:10.5, last 600m in 35.2, and paid $2.20 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

Stable rider Opie Bosson took luck out of the equation by leading and after steadying to the 600 metres Sword of Osman romped clear at the 200m.

“He's a really good horse, one of the best in the stable and I've said that from day one,” Bosson said.

Bosson also had the choice of riding stable-mate Handsome Rebel (Denman) in the race, having been aboard when finishing third last start in the Phoenix Park Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 3 February at New Plymouth. While the run of Handsome Rebel to finish third was highly creditable, Bosson made the right decision.

“Obviously that's the way he likes to race,” said Stephen Autridge, who trains in partnership with Jamie Richards. “He's got a ton of ability and Opie (Bosson) can pick the right one.

“He (Sword of Osman) got jammed up on the fence in the (Karaka) Million, didn't know what was going on and didn't have a lot of room, and we just turned the page.”

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $165,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, prepared by Trelawney Stud for breeder Joan Egan, Sword of Osman went to the races without a trial and now given owners in the Te Akau Great Sword Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) two wins from three starts and promise of a bright future.

For loyal Te Akau owners Gilbert Southworth and John Elstob, he provided their first Group win, having previously been relegated from a stakes' win and notching stakes' places.  Loyal Hong Kong owner Phillip Mak is also involved in the ownership together with a number of new stable owners from last year.

“I'd like to thank the owners I've got in the horse, fantastic people, good friends of mine and for some the first time they've raced a horse with Te Akau,” Ellis said.

“Sword of Osman is what I call a proper horse, and what we're seeing from him now should only be improved upon when he's three.  Steve and Jamie have handled him brilliantly, as have all our staff, and gee, isn't it a great help when you've got Opie on top. He's is a league of his own.”

Ellis also thanked the Matamata Racing Club: “It's a fantastic day's racing, great crowd and the track, after plenty of rain, is running beautifully. It's a credit to this well organised club.”

“That's the 15^th stakes winner this season for Savabeel,” said Waikato Stud Godfather Garry Chittick.

“He's had a number of good two-year-olds, but that's the beauty of the stallion and Sword of Osman is such a strong horse. Strong over the back, through the loins, lovely action, and I can't imagine that these owners a not going to have a lot of fun.

“He's a cracking horse and looks ideal for the 2000 Guineas next season. The horses behind him obviously aren't slugs. You can only win, but when you win that well, it's well above average.”

Previous Matamata Slipper winners for Te Akau: prepared by current co-trainer Stephen Autridge, and ridden by Lance O'Sullivan, Cosma D'ior (Dieu D'or) scored first in 1995. Five time group one winner Darci Brahma (Danehill) won the race in 2005, stallion Minstrel Court (Danehill Dancer) in 2008, King's Ransom (King's Chapel) in 2009, and the group one winner Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock) in 2016.

Sword of Osman was strapped by Nik Bakar.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz