Group Two performer Sword Of State recorded his second win from just three starts when taking out the Stable Books 1100 at Matamata on Wednesday.
The Jamie Richards-trained three-year-old was backed into $1.10 favouritism after placing in the Gr.2 Eclispe Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, and won accordingly in the hands of Opie Bosson.
Richards was pleased with the win and he is now eyeing a return to Matamata in a fortnight to contest the Gr.3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m).
“They went along at a genuine tempo and he was chasing the whole way and got there the last bit,” Richards said.
“I don’t think the second horse (Dragon Biscuit) is a bad galloper. I watched him do some work here at Matamata and he looks to be able to go along alright.
“He (Sword Of State) will go to the Matamata Slipper here in 17 days. He is going to have to be at his best, but I think he can improve off the back of that.”
Richards said he needed Wednesday’s hit-out ahead of his Group Three assignment, and he is hoping for a good track later this month.
“He is a good doing colt. He got away on me a bit before Ellerslie, so I was glad that we gave him a run here and a bit of a fitness blowout,” he said.
“I think he will be better on a track that is a genuine good track, the track was chipping out a bit there today and I do think that he does appreciate the better stuff.”
