Westbury Stud stallions dominated the finish of the open staying handicap at Trentham on Sunday.
Redwood’s well-travelled son Sword In Stone claimed top honours at the end of 2200 metres from gifted Tarzino five-year-old and last-start Remutaka Classic winner Titicaca.
Trained by Kevin and Stephen Gray, Sword In Stone had finished runner at Wanganui at his previous appearance and went one better under his topweight of 60kg in the hands of Michael McNab.
“I’m rapt with him, he’s a nine-year-old now and with the weight it was a pretty good effort,” Stephen Gray said.
“We’ve looked after him and he’s a lovely horse.”
Sword In Stone loped along in fourth spot away from the fence before McNab urged him forward before the turn and he did well to keep the challenge of Titicaca, who was in receipt of 4kg, at bay.
“He switched off well and the speed was good for a small field,” McNab said.
“I thought the second horse may have had me covered turning in, but my bloke was brilliant.”
Sword In Stone began his career with Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan and finished third in the G2 Wellington Guineas off the back of his maiden win.
He was subsequently purchased by clients of Caspar Fownes’ stable and, as Columbus County, added two more wins to his record and placed at Group 1 level in the Hong Kong Vase and Champions & Chater Cup.
When Fownes considered the horse had reached his mark in Hong Kong, he was sent to Stephen Gray who had originally bought him as a yearling at Karaka for $33,000 and races him with wife Bridget.
Sword In Stone has now been successful twice since Gray’s return from Singapore to resume his training partnership with his father and the gelding still holds an entry for the upcoming G2 Auckland Cup.
“He’s in because I forgot to take him out, we’ll have a talk now and see what we do,” he said.