Te Akau Quinella in Grp 3 Almanzor Trophy

Champion Two-Year-Old Sword of State  (3 c Snitzel - In the Vanguard, by Encosta De Lago) led home a Te Akau quinella in the $110,000 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Karaka Million night (22 Jan.) at Ellerslie.

That he won a Group 1 as a two-year-old was no real surprise, and after putting a quiet spring behind him, it was the real Sword of State seen back in action.

Having to hand up early to an intent Bonny Lass (Super Easy), rider Opie Bosson soon had Sword of State purring to her outside and, once unleashed, it was his customary powerhouse finish reminiscent of the Sistema Stakes' (Gr. 1, 1200m) course winning performance.

It enabled victory by one and a quarter lengths over stable-mate Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), while evening the score after she beat him in Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) as a two-year-old.

“He raced beautifully too, wanted to be there, and was keen,” Bosson said. “He towed me into the race turning for home, pinned his ears back and ran straight to the line. That's what you want in a colt.

“I hadn't gone for him until the 150m. I knew something was coming but I didn't know it was her (Imperatriz).”

Bettering 1:09.5 he ran in Sistema, Sword of State clocked slick 1:09.2 and paid $2.60 & $1.40 on NZ TAB tote.

“It's good to see him back in form,” said Champion Trainer Jamie Richards. “He's obviously a quality colt. Things didn't go our way in the spring but he's back with a vengeance today.

“He met a strong quality of horse in Australia. You're going over there trying to beat them at what they do best, producing sprinting horses, and New Zealand is slightly easier than Sydney or Melbourne in the spring.

“It was a good positive ride by Opie (Bosson), to let the speed go, pop off, and it really worked out well.

“He's a colt that David (Ellis) bought on the Gold Coast, put together in a stallion syndicate, Cambridge Stud is now the majority owner (standing rights) and we are thrilled to be able to win the sponsor's race too.

“Imperatriz is a good filly but the colt just had the softer run, off the top of the speed, and that duly showed. However she went really well and Mohawk Brave (Extreme Choice) was good from back in the field as well.”

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 and topped $250,000 prize money.

Bred by Sir Owen Glenn, prepared by Newgate Farm, he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2020 Gold Coast January Yearling Sale.

At the time of purchase, he came with a seal of approval from Newgate Farm stud manager Jim Carey, “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.”

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 multiple Champion Australian Sire.

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

Sword of State was strapped by Reece Trumper.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz