Trainer Jamie Richards and the Te Akau Racing team entered Saturday’s Group III Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) at Matamata with a strong hand and delivered the quinella when Snitzel colt Sword of State was too good for Karaka Million winner On the Bubbles, who started favourite.
Supporters of On The Bubbles were well on terms with themselves as the favourite slotted easily into a handy position on a solid pace set up by Sword Of State.
Rider Johnathan Parkes had him out to challenge on the home turn and momentarily looked a threat to the pacemaker.
However, it was Sword Of State, who found the best kick as he bolted away from On The Bubbles and his other eight rivals to win untouched by 6 lengths in a slick 1.08.78 for the 1200m journey.
“He won well and like the good horse he is,” Richards said.
“He jumped nicely, travelled really well and railed beautifully.
“The rail is definitely the place to be today and when he got terms to suit, he was always going to be hard to beat.
“I thought On The Bubbles was very good as well as that was his first start since the Karaka Million and he will take plenty of benefit from the race.”
Both colts will tackle the Group I Sistema Stakes (1200m) in a fortnight.
“They are both heading to the Sistema Stakes on Auckland Cup day,” he said.
“I think On The Bubbles is a touch better suited going that way around and with the improvement he will take out of today, he will be very competitive.
“Sword Of State does hold a nomination for the Golden Slipper (Gr.1, 1200m) in Sydney but we’re not really thinking about that too much as he doesn’t have the prizemoney in the bin as yet to get a start in the race.”
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 Gold Coast sales last year. He is the 106th stakes-winner for champion sire Snitzel and is the first foal from Encosta De Lago mare In the Vanguard.
Newgate Farm sold the current yearling from In the Vanguard, a filly by Russian Revolution, at Magic Millions this year for $100,000 to Nxt Level Syndications.