Impressive debut winner War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) made it two from two when she led from go to whoa in the opening event at Wanganui, the Wanganui Insurance Brokers 2YO (1200m).
The two-year-old daughter of US Navy Flag looked to have untapped ability when she won over 1000m at Tauherenikau before enhancing that impression with a subsequent trial win at Foxton last month, where she headed home Group Two winner Too Sweet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin).
Sent out a warm $2.60 favourite, rider Lily Sutherland bounced her away nicely from her extreme outside barrier in the field of nine on Saturday before setting up a steady pace under her own terms at the head of affairs.
Sutherland asked her to lengthen stride rounding the home bend and she put a three length gap on her nearest pursuer before cruising to the line under a strong hold to defeat Cashla Bay (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Our Sniper (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who had chased her throughout.
While trainer Peter Didham had his attention focussed on looking at yearlings at the annual Adelaide sale that kicks off on Monday, he managed to catch all the action at Wanganui and was suitably impressed by the performance.
“She is very talented but we just don’t know what we have on our hands just yet,” Didham said.
“She won her trial before going to the races where she also won and then scored in her trial before this one so she is unbeaten at this stage.
“I still think there is plenty of improvement in her as she has just kept getting better, so it is an exciting time for everyone involved.”
Didham’s did admit to some pre-race concerns around the Good 3 track surface on offer as he looks forward to a possible start in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on 29 March.
“We were keen to see her go well today as we have been thinking about the Group One at Trentham in a fortnight for her,” he said.
“As long as she gets through today well we will head to Trentham as the money on offer and I think she is up to it on what we have seen so far.”
Bred by Don and Dame Wendy Pye, War Princess is out of their Keeper mare Royal Appellant (NZ) who has also produced 2019 Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) placegetter Appellant. She was purchased for $77,500 out of the Haunui Farm draft during the Book 2 sale at Karaka in 2024 by trainer Peter Didham and co-owner Ian Middleton under his Exempt Bloodstock banner.
TAB Bookmakers reacted swiftly to the victory by slashing her Fixed Odds quote to $14 for the Sires’ Produce Stakes where La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) is the current $3 favourite.