Manifique (NZ) (Savabeel) finished fourth in a quality line-up in last year’s Listed Clubs NZ Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’s Stakes (1600m), and she will be bidding to improve on that mark at Tauherenikau on Thursday.
Last year’s edition was taken out by subsequent Group One placegetter Town Cryer, with Saturday race rival Sugah Sweet and subsequent Group One winner and Saturday’s Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) favourite Snazzytavi filling the minor placings.
“It was a strong field (last year) and she (Manifique) really hustled home late, and another few strides she would have got up. It was a good effort,” trainer Peter Didham said.
Manifique hasn’t flattered since last year’s running, finishing unplaced in four of her five starts, and Didham is hoping she can return to form on Waitangi Day following a short freshen-up.
“She was a bit disappointing last start (when eighth in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes, 2100m), so we just freshened her up again and we are back to a mile,” he said.
“We couldn’t find anything wrong with her, we still can’t. I just need her to string a bit of consistency together.
“I have been happy with her work. I took her to Otaki and galloped her on the grass on Friday. She worked with Kana and worked well.”
Stablemate Danjuro (NZ) (Saxon Warrior) will be seeking back-to-back victories when he contests the Central ITM Wairarapa Cup (2050m), and Didham believes a big future is instore for the gelding once his racing manners improve.
“He has been doing a few things wrong and he probably beats himself sometimes. He is one of those horses where a year on he is going to be a handy stayer,” Didham said.
“He has always had a tonne of ability. He wasn’t far away in the Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) at Christchurch. We sent him down there to try and grow up, but he will still hang and try to run off on the corner and miss the jump.
“He just gets himself into a bit of trouble and hopefully one day the penny will drop.”
Didham will take seven other runners to Tauherenikau on Thursday, including juveniles War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Shameless Star (NZ) (Shamexpress), who make their debuts in the Pope & Gray Contractors Maiden 2YO (1000m).
“They are two really nice two-year-olds that were bought for a syndicate that wanted to have a go with some two and three-year-olds,” Didham said. “I think they both go well.”
Meanwhile, Didham will head to Te Rapa with just the one runner on Saturday, with Omega Boy (NZ) (Time Test) set to try and claim the lion’s share of the $350,000 purse on offer in the Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m).
“I didn’t think I would get in on 65 points, but he is well in at number nine,” Didham said.
“It is probably not as strong as what some people thought it might have been. He is a very consistent horse. He won on the poly way back in September, so he has been up a while, but for $350,000, we will have a shake.”
