War Princess seeking crowning glory

Awapuni filly War Princess will head up State Highway Three on Saturday to Wanganui in search of all-important black-type in the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).

The daughter of U S Navy Flag won two of her three starts as a juvenile, and was unplaced in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in March, and trainer Peter Didham is pleased with the way she has returned as a three-year-old.

She won a 1000m trial at Awapuni earlier this month, which piqued the interest of TAB bookmakers, who have opened her as a $4.80 equal favourite for Saturday’s three-year-old feature with dual stakes winner Platinum Diamond.

While he has a high opinion of his filly, Didham admitted to being a bit surprised when he saw his filly at the top of the market.

“She trialled really nicely,” Didham said. “She is very quick, so probably deserves to have a go around Wanganui and be in the field, but I am very surprised that she is favourite because it is a really strong field.”

Didham would have liked another couple of weeks up his sleeve before contesting the Guineas, but he is hoping his filly’s brilliance will have her featuring in the finish.

“It has come around a week or two earlier than I would have liked, her coat is just starting to move,” he said.

“Her two trials and two races that she has won, she jumped and ran and maintained a nice speed. We probably won’t change too much with that unless there is a tonne of speed and we can sit second or third like we did at the trial the other day.”

Looking ahead to the rest of spring, Didham said he will likely keep his filly to shorter trips.

“At this stage, she will probably be kept to sprinting, but who knows, she might get a little bit further,” he said.

Fellow three-year-old filly Shameless Star will kick-off her preparation on the undercard when she contests the Wanganui Insurance Brokers Maiden 1200.

The daughter of Shamexpress also pleased Didham with her 850m trial win at Foxton earlier this month and he is confident of a bold showing first-up.

“She had a really good trial last week,” he said. “She has a good draw (2), a good rider (Masa Hashizume), and I expect her to race well.”

Didham will also be represented by Danjuro in the Take It Easy Tours 1600, with the five-year-old gelding having also won his lead-in 1200m trial at Awapuni earlier this month.

“It (trial win) was a bit unexpected,” Didham said. “He had only had a few gallops, and we are starting to get him ready for the staying races.

“He is a quirky horse, but he has always had ability. The mile should be too short for him, but we have got to kick-off, like the rest of these horses. It is exciting with most of the winter out of the way to get them racing.”

Didham’s team will be rounded out by Gum Basher in the Whanganui Chronicle 1340.

“Gummy has been a bit unlucky this year,” Didham said. “Two or three races she should have won.

“She just might have lost a little bit of early speed at the moment, so I am hoping to see her hit the line really well. She always tries hard, she is a nice horse.”