Savabeel 2yo Sword Of Osman races in to Karaka contention
Sword Of Osman distanced his rivals on debut in Saturday’s NZ Bakels 2Y0 Premier (1100m) at Awapuni to put himself right in the frame for next month’s Karaka Million (1200m).
The Savabeel gelding made the running and coasted clear in the run to the post to win untouched by three lengths from Platinum Mam’selle and Boy Next Door.
“He could be racing for $1 million in a month after he was bought as a staying three-year-old,” said Jamie Richards, who trains Sword Of Osman with Stephen Autridge.
“Anything he has done today he will improve on – he could be something special.”
At Awapuni, Sword Of Osman was making his first public appearance after impressing at home.
“He’s a lovely horse and the Savabeels are all the go,” Richards said. “Unfortunately, it went from being pretty wet to firm and we didn’t want to trial him on a hard track,” Richards said.
“He had impressed Opie (Bosson) in jump-outs though.”
With Bosson in action at Te Rapa, Michael McNab got the ride and he had the easiest of times aboard Sword Of Osman.
“He’s a machine,” he said. “Opie’s had a rap on him for about a month now. I galloped him one morning during the week and it was like Melody Belle all over again.”
Sword Of Osman’s performance has strengthened the stable’s hand to defend the Karaka Million title held by Melody Belle.
The Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) winner Al Hasa and Avantage, who is unbeaten in two outings, are also set to tackle the January 27 feature at Ellerslie