Swordsman outduels young rivals

Well-related youngster Swordsman overcame a testing run at Wanganui to kick his career off in style.

The Michael Breslin-trained son of Sword Of State was only opposed by three rivals over 1200 metres but was given no peace after he jumped well from the inside gate to lead.

He was taken on by two of his rivals before our homebred drew clear in the run home for rider Liam Kauri to score by 2.8l.

“He had to absorb quite a bit of pressure, and I told Liam to make use of the rail and the horse stretched out really well,” Breslin said.

He is unsure of Swordsman’s immediate future but is confident he will improve significantly with the outing and more time.

“We’ll get home and see how he does after this race, he is a big, green horse and will be a lot better as a three-year-old,” Breslin said.

Congratulations to owner Neil Kirton, who only had to outlay $1300 to purchase Swordsman at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Online Yearling Sale.

He is a half-brother to the Listed Kaimai Stakes winner and multiple Group placegetter What You Wish For with their dam the Smart Missile mare Grand Wish, who has since produced a pair of Embellish fillies and is back in foal to our son of Savabeel.

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