Stephen and Kevin Gray needed to see a winning performance from Sword In Stone (NZ) (Redwood) to consider tackling next Saturday’s Gr.2 Barfoot and Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m), and the evergreen nine-year-old duly delivered at Trentham on Sunday.
A son of Redwood, Sword In Stone was purchased by Stephen Gray for just $33,000 at the National Yearling Sales and was initially trained by Lauren Brennan, who prepared him to place in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) in 2019 before continuing his career in Hong Kong. Racing as Columbus County, the gelding earned over HK$13.7 million in five seasons and was twice a Group One placegetter.
After proving himself among the best staying gallopers in the competitive jurisdiction, Sword In Stone’s former trainer Caspar Fownes sent the gelding back to New Zealand in search of more suitable options in the twilight of his career. The gelding immediately made an impression in his homeland, starting off on a winning note as a $43 chance over a mile at Otaki in December.
In two starts following, the Sword In Stone finished at the tail in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m), but was back in form finishing second to Heart Of Gold at Wanganui, warranting a final opportunity to prove himself a true prospect for the $600,000 showpiece at Ellerslie on Champions Day.
Well-respected in the market as a $6 third-favourite, Sword In Stone had the services of Michael McNab and the top hoop gave him the perfect run in transit, settling in the one-one outside of Titicaca. Ruby Rocks dictated the tempo throughout, and on straightening, Sword In Stone and Titicaca began to fight out the finish, with the former having the edge late to score by a half-head.
Sword In Stone was the second of a winning treble for McNab, also guiding Ballon d’Or and Slipper Island to victories through the card.
“He switched off well, the speed of the race was good for a small field,” he said.
“I thought the second horse (Titicaca) had me covered turning in and he was able to dictate to me being a big horse, but he was brilliant.”
Stephen Gray was thrilled with the effort, particularly when considering he was giving away four kilograms to the second placegetter.
“I’m rapt, he’s a nine-year-old and for our little team that we’re building, for him to come back and do that with 60 kilos is a pretty good effort,” he said.
“He’s a lovely horse and we looked after him, we’ve taken our time and that run last week brought him on.”
Sword In Stone is raced by Gray and his wife Bridget, who will have plenty to think about over the coming days.
“He’s in there (Auckland Cup) and I forgot to take him out after the last ones (withdrawals), and Bridget said to me, do you know how it costs to put him in there?” Gray said.
“But I’m not sure, I’ll talk to my partners and see how we go.”
The victory was Sword In Stone’s fifth in 44 starts, accumulating over $2.8 million in stakes earnings. He is out of a Kilimanjaro mare Spirit Of Sandford, who has also produced Secret Spirit, a four-time stakes winner including the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m).
