Snitzel Colt Wins G3 Waikato Stud Slipper

Media Release - Saturday February 27

Trainer Jamie Richards and the Te Akau Racing team entered Saturday’s Group III  Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) on their home patch at Matamata on Saturday with a strong hand and played it to perfection when producing the quinella in the juvenile feature for the colts and geldings.

Sword Of State provides Troy Harris with an armchair ride as he cruises home to win the Gr.3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) at Matamata Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

Richards lined up the unbeaten Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner On The Bubbles along with stablemates Sword Of State and Avonallo, with On The Bubbles sent out a commanding $1.80 favourite by punters.

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, the public’s second elect at $3, who found the best kick as he tore away from On The Bubbles and his other eight rivals in the home straight 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.”

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On The Bubbles will get his chance to turn the tables on his stablemate at Ellerslie in a fortnight when they tackle the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m), a venue where Richards believes he will be suited.

“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. – NZ Racing Desk

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Race Result - Waikato Stud Slipper Gr3 1200m

Matamata Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:08.78
1
Sword Of State
- 2c Snitzel (AUS) x In The Vanguard (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: T N Harris 56.5
2
6.5
On The Bubbles
- 2g Brazen Beau (AUS) x More Bubbles (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: J Parkes 56.5
3
7.0
Dragon Biscuit
- 2g Choisir (AUS) x Dawning Light (FR) (Siyouni (FR))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: T Yanagida 56.5
4
10.0
Notabadbuy
- 2g The Bold One (NZ) x Penelope Pitstop (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: Craig & Shaun Phelan Rdr: R T Elliot 56.5
5
10.5
Avonallo
- 2c Belardo (IRE) x Real Angel (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
6
12.3
Wolfgang
- 2c Puccini (NZ) x Navy Beach (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: P N McKay Rdr: S M Mc Kay 56.5
7
12.4
Atullibigeal
- 2g Street Boss (USA) x Kellys Ocean Jewel (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: C J Henderson Rdr: L H Satherley 56.5
8
12.7
Mana Nui
- 2c No Nay Never (USA) x Alpine Julz (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: C K Ormsby Rdr: D S Johnson 56.5
9
13.2
Western Springs
- 2c Lonhro (AUS) x Lost In Dubai (NZ) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: V A Colgan 56.5
10
20.5
The Night King
- 2g Savabeel (AUS) x Snowdrop (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: L G Innes 56.5
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