Talented three-year-old colt Sword Of State shrugged off an indifferent Australian spring campaign to display his true class at Ellerslie on Saturday when he dominated his rivals in the Group III Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m).

Wearing the colours of Brendan and Jo Lindsay, who co-own the colt and sponsored the race, the son of Snitzel sat in the trail behind pacemaker Bonny Lass before powering clear to win by a length and a half.

Trainer Jamie Richards was pleased with the return to form for Sword of State, who was Champion NZ 2YO last season.

“Good to see him back in form as he is obviously a quality colt,” he said.

“Things didn’t go our way in the spring, but he was back with a vengeance today.”

Winning rider Opie Bosson was delighted with the effort and particularly with the colt’s racing manners.

“He raced beautifully and wanted to be on the pace and was keen,” he said.

“He towed me into the race, pinned his ears back and ran to the line, which is what you want out of a colt.

“I hadn’t gone for him until the 150m and although I didn’t know what was coming after him, he ran the race right out.”

Bred by Sir Owen Glenn, Sword Of State was a $600,000 purchase by Te Akau boss David Ellis CNZM from the Newgate Farm draft at Magic Millions and has the overall record of five wins and a third from nine starts.

He is the first foal from Group II placed Encosta De Lago mare In the Vanguard, a daughter of brilliant Group II winner Sharp.

Newgate Farm sold the current two year-old from In the Vanguard, a filly by Russian Revolution, at Magic Millions this year for $100,000 to Nxt Level Syndications and she has been named Miss Bombshell.