Peter Didham was left scratching his head following Danjuro’s (NZ) (Saxon Warrior) poor showing in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham earlier this month, and has decided to go back to the drawing board with the talented three-year-old.
Stewards placed a warning against the gelding for his racing manners following his last start antics, with the son of Saxon Warrior racing greenly entering the first bend and over-raced throughout, eventually finishing last in the 12-horse field.
“We don’t know what happened at Wellington, he had been working well,” Didham said.
“Wiremu Pinn (jockey) thinks he may have shied at the big screen and ran off in that first bend and then over-raced and did everything wrong.
“He had a jumpout 10 days ago and went really nicely.”
Didham is hoping Danjuro can regain his confidence when he heads to Wanganui on Saturday where he will contest the Wanganui Motors 1600.
“Wellington threw everything out the window, so we are just starting again,” Didham said. “He has got plenty of ability, but he is a raw horse and has got a bit to learn. It is just doing the right thing by the horse.
“He will be ridden quietly and just try and get his confidence back.”
Stablemate Havarti (NZ) (Swiss Ace) is in a purple patch of form, having won and placed in two of his last three starts, and will be looking to end his preparation on a high in the Wanganui-Taranaki Racehorse Owners Association 1200.
“He has been racing really well and tries hard,” Didham said. “It will probably be this run and then a spell, but it is a reasonably strong field.”
Didham’s Wanganui representation will be rounded out by Fashion Icon (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) in the Commdives NZ 3YO 1340, and he thinks she is his best chance of the day.
“I am really happy with her,” he said. “She has been working really well and probably meets lesser company than what she did last start. She was a bit unlucky last start, so I expect a real forward showing from her.
“We were thinking of going to the Cambridge Breeders’ (Gr.3, 1200m) with her, but when we saw the field and we didn’t have a rider, we just went back to plan B, which was Wanganui. She should be my best runner tomorrow.
“She has got a lot of talent, so she will be put away for the winter very shortly.”
Both Fashion Icon and Danjuro lead the TAB markets for their respective races at $3.60 and $4.20, while Havarti is on the second line of betting in his contest at $6 behind the Kevin Gray-trained Idyllic (No Nay Never) at $4.80.
