Sword Of State takes Gowran opener Sword Of State was an 18/1 winner of the opening Irish EBF Auction Series (Fillies) Maiden at Gowran Park, scoring by one and three-quarter lengths, with the Joseph O'Brien-trained Seaxburh (5/4) back in second. The winner made her debut only six days ago at the Curragh, where she finished seventh of nine runners. Jockey Rory Cleary dictated matters throughout the race, and the daughter of State Of Rest showed a good attitude to keep her head in front throughout. "She's very special and she'll be better as the year goes on," said winning trainer Brendan Duke. "We'll be very careful with her. There is a novice on the 8th of August in the Curragh and then we'll have a look at the Ingabelle. "We might go transatlantic with her because the further on in the year, the better she'll be. There's no surprise here, she has a beautiful pedigree from a top-class outfit. "I'd like to say very well done to Caoimhe and the team at Four Knox for bringing her along before I got my hands on her. "I think she's the best two-year-old I've ever had. "We needed to teach her the first day. She's a little bit immature in her head. I knew I needed to make the running on her, but I didn't want to make the running on her the first day up the Curragh. I thought she'd be looking down at Newbridge and all that's going on. We decided to get a lead on her. "When we really wanted to let her go, she couldn't go. She's taken the race so well. She's like all the good ones, she has a great mind. Please God, we'll be lucky." Additional reporting by John O'Riordan
