Rematch for Group One Te Akau 2YO's

Media Release - Monday March 12

Sword Of Osman and Avantage will renew their Group One rivalry at Awapuni later this month.

The talented two-year-old stablemates are confirmed runners in the Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) on March 31.

Sword of Osman beats Avantage in the G1 Sistema Stakes - Trish DunnellThe Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained pair have met twice with Avantage taking top honours when winning the Karaka Million (1200m) before Sword Of Osman evened the score with his defeat of the filly in Saturday's Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.

"This season has been full of thrills - we have quinellaed the New Zealand 2000 Guineas, the Karaka Million and now the Sistema with horses I have bought, it doesn't get much better than that," Te Akau principal David Ellis said.

Consideration had been given to a trip to Sydney for Sword Of Osman, but he will now be given the chance at Awapuni to complete an elite level double.

"We think he's probably six months away in his development so we will give him one more run before he goes to the paddock," Ellis said.

"When he returns we'll be getting him ready for the Hawke's Bay Guineas and the 2000 Guineas at Christchurch.

"Avantage has come through the race really well and if we're still happy with her in the next few days she will go to the Sires' Produce as well. We want to give her the opportunity to get a Group One win.

"Any easing of the track would suit her, although that wouldn't suit Sword Of Osman."

Meanwhile, Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) runner-up Mongolianconqueror will bolster the stable's defence of their Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) title following Gingernuts' success in 2017.

"Mongolianconqueror's going over tomorrow and he'll run in the Guineas and the Australian Derby," Ellis said.

"We'll have two in both of them with Age Of Fire the other. He's come through Saturday's race very well and we're looking forward to getting him over more ground."

The Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) winner finished 11th behind Kementari in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) in his Australian debut, making good ground late to be beaten less than six-lengths. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday December 21
Here is the full list of 95 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Zoustar Mare Wins for Te Akau - Half-Brother for K1
Consistent sprinting mare Egyptian Queen was rewarded for a string of solid performances at Te Rapa on Saturday, powering away with the Lodge Real Estate 1200.
Stakes Racing Catalogue Updates Last Week
A dozen stakes updates in the past week into catalogues for yearlings coming up.
Sires With Winners - Friday December 20
Here is the full list of 71 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday December 19
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another Stakes Win For This Burly Enigma - Leave The Whip At Home
Enigmatic is a word often bandied about in racing but it certainly sits well upon the ample shoulders of Cannonball, a big odds winner of the Listed Magic Millions Falvelon at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Four MM Lead Ups for Icarian Dream - what are the stats?
Two-year-old filly Icarian Dream’s win in the B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday will see her head into the Magic Millions 2YO Classic having had four starts before year’s end, which might seem a lot in this day and age – but is it? We’ve had a look.
Is He the Next Via Sistina or Buckaroo?
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo cross is a formidable one and has produced this spring’s elite Group I winners Via Sistina (IRE) and Buckaroo (GB) with another lightly raced import bred the same way in Gilded Water (GB) going two for two in Australia with a cavalier win at Randwick on Saturday.
Verdi's Gritty Goldman wins Pakenham Cup
One-time Melbourne Cup favourite Goldman has bounced back to winning form for the first time in more than 18-months when leading throughout to score in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on Saturday.
$250,000 Magic Millions Debut Friday Night – Sale Mail
A field of 10 unraced juveniles will get the chance to go straight into the $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a win in tonight’s $250,000 Magic Millions Debut (1000m), so who are the contenders?