Te Akau principal David Ellis and trainer Jamie Richards have elected to remain in New Zealand with Group One-winning juvenile Sword Of State (Snitzel).
New Zealand’s leading stable announced the colt will instead head to the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on April 3 where he will be ridden by Te Akau’s retained jockey, Opie Bosson.
A Sydney mission was originally on the cards, however, that trip was ruled out due to a number of variables, including the recent inclement weather and track conditions, which resulted in the postponement of the Golden Slipper meeting.
Sword Of State has won four of his five starts to date, including the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie earlier this month.
The son of Snitzel was bred by Sir Owen Glenn and was purchased by Ellis as a yearling for A$600,000 and already has significant residual value when he eventually retires to stud.
