Tyro trainer enjoying top debut season
Training newcomer Trent Didham has already exceeded his season’s expectations and will now hope to press on to advance the tally in the coming days.
Didham joined his father Peter at the beginning of the term and their Awapuni stable has subsequently sent out 20 winners and twice tasted success at black type level with Omega Boy (NZ) (Time Test) (Gr.2 Japan Trophy, 1600m) and War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) (Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes, 1600m).
“We thought anywhere around 15 or 18 winners would be a good target, we’ve only got 22 horses in work at the moment with some nice quality stock coming through,” he said.
“We wanted to get a few stakes placings and we’ve had two winners, so we’ve ticked that box as well.”
They will have runners at three venues this week with the in-form filly Shameless Star (NZ) (Shamexpress) to be accompanied north to Saturday’s Ellerslie meeting by Can Do (NZ) (Contributer).
Shamexpress’ daughter Shameless Star has been set for The Lawn Shed Winter Series – 3YO Final (1600m) and her first test beyond 1400m.
She is in stellar form for the challenge with consecutive age group victories to her credit at Otaki and Wanganui, where she easily accounted for the promising Roc All Night (NZ) (El Roca) and stakes winner Circus Dancer (NZ) (Circus Maximus).
“She came through her last run well and it’s a big ask with a trip away and stepping up to a mile for the first time, but she’s only three once so we’ll have a crack,” Didham said.
“With a view to the future, it will be good for her to have a look around Ellerslie and she’s settling better in her races, Toni (Davies) will ride her again and she knows the filly well.
“She had a good preparation and will definitely go to the paddock after this one.”
Contributer four-year-old Can Do will take aim at The Lawn Shed Winter Series – Progressive Final (1600m) following his resuming run for third at Waverley last month.
“We’ve had a bit of trouble with him hanging on one rein, so we’ll spin him around the other way and hopefully he won’t hang,” Didham said.
“We’ll take the hood off to try something different and he’ll have the bubble cheeker on one side, he’s a bit of a big baby but if he goes straight, he won’t be far off them.”
The stable has also added variety to the training program of the capable but unpredictable Danjuro (NZ) (Saxon Warrior), who runs in Friday’s MacDougall Woodville Pahiatua Cup (2100m).
“He’s been out at Jason and Luke Myers’ place and they’ve been jumping him, they said he jumps well and we’re trying to wake him up, but you never know which Danjuro you’re going to get,” Didham said.
At their home meeting on the synthetic track on Sunday, he tipped Victortheinflictor (NZ) (Vespa) as their best chance in the BJW Motors 2022 Limited Handicap (1700m).
The Vespa six-year-old is a two-time winner on the all-weather course and was a sound third there when resuming after a four-month break.
“He’s working really well and his first-up run the other day on the poly was really encouraging,” Didham said.
“He’ll have his big group of owners there on Sunday cheering the house down if he goes well again.”
