Derby prospect

Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan has confirmed that her promising three-year-old Sword In Stone is New Zealand Derby bound after a fighting performance for third in Saturday’s group two Waikato Guineas (2000m). Having just his third raceday start, Sword In Stone was forced to take up an unfamiliar role outside the pacemaker before being edged out by Sponge Bob and Arrogant in a desperate three-way finish. “We will push on to the Derby now with Michael [Rodd] indicating he wants to come back and ride him which is a really good endorsement.” Sword In Stone is rated a $10 chance behind Cutadeel ($6) in the TAB Fixed Odds market for the group one NZ Derby (2400m) run at Ellerslie on March 2.