High-class galloper Sword of Osman (Savabeel x Bunyah) resumed with a convincing victory in the Auckland Co-op Taxis 3YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.
Despite carrying 60.5kgs, Sword of Osman was strongly supported at the tote and went forward from barrier five to race quite keenly outside the leader before he took over comfortably once balanced in the straight and never appeared in danger.
“He needed the run but it was pretty much like a track gallop for him,” said rider Opie Bosson. “It should bring him on nicely for a couple of weeks. He pulled me into the race turning for home and was just going too good. He did it under his own steam and it’s exciting.”
Freshened by Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards since the Gr.1 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November, Sword of Osman had pleased in a couple of exhibition gallops leading in to the race which had been earmarked as a stepping stone towards contesting the Gr.3 Mongolian Khan Trophy (1200m) on Karaka Million night.
“It was a nice little hit-out for him and he has to carry a bit of weight again in a couple of weeks,” Richards said. “He’ll meet a stronger field, but that will tighten him up nicely and he’s in the zone.
“The team at home have done a good job, really take good care of him and he presented very well.”
A Group One winner at two at Ellerslie when successful in the Sistema Stakes (1200m), Sword of Osman has gone on to win the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) as a three-year-old.
"I remember after I inspected the yearling draft at Trelawney Stud and I sent Joan (Egan) a text as I left, saying: “I’ve just seen a top horse for the future, one that you’ve bred. He’s been beautifully prepared and if ever I’ve seen a racehorse in the making it will be him," David Ellis said.
“He’s got some terrific owners and he’s a great looking horse with plenty of strength and a very natural galloper."
Sword of Osman was purchased by Ellis for $165,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale when prepared by Trelawney Stud for breeder Joan Egan, and has now won five of his 10 starts for the Te Akau Great Sword Syndicate.
Fellow Trelawney Stud graduate Gundown (High Chaparral x Lady of the House) jumped as favourite in the 0800 Horsevets 2100 and settled at the rear of the field before flying down the outside to finish second in a blanket finish.
Gundown was purchased by Bruce Perry for $70,000 out of Trelawney Stud's 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock draft when prepared for Raffles Dancers.
In the following race Prise De Fer (Savabeel x Foiled), stablemate of Sword of Osman, was first past the post but appeared to shy at something on the inner of the track at the 50m mark which resulted in him moving sharply outwards where he connected with Rippa Eagle, who was challenging on his outer.
Rippa Eagle was shunted onto In A Twinkling and Tolemac who were both finishing hard out wide with all four horses going to the post locked in a desperate four-way finish.
The preliminary result had Prise De Fer beating Rippa Eagle, Tolemac and In A Twinkling but a protest from each of the three runners behind Prise De Fer saw the Judicial Committee determine sufficient interference had occurred to warrant a change of placings.
After lengthy deliberations the final result was posted with Rippa Eagle awarded the victory ahead of Prise De Fer with Tolemac and In A Twinkling remaining in their original positions.
Prise De Fer, also bred by Raffles Dancers, was sold out of Trelawney Stud’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock draft to David Ellis for $100,000 and has had three starts for a win and two runner-up placings.