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• November 02, 2023
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By Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Peter Didham will be on a two-fold mission to Christchurch this month with his promising three-year-old Danjuro.

The Awapuni trainer is firstly focussing on a crack at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 11, but is also mindful of the future benefits the southern venture will bring.

Danjuro has earned his place in the age group feature with quality performances in his two appearances and the trip away will stand the son of Saxon Warrior in good stead for assignments later in the season.

“He’s really well and galloped nicely on Tuesday. It would probably have been nice to go there for his fourth run and not his third and he’s going to learn a lot from it all going forward,” Didham said.

“All the good trainers take their horses away and they just keep improving so the trip is going to do him good.”

Danjuro was a debut winner over 1200m at Woodville in September and last month overcame a slow start at Trentham to finish runner-up behind the Kevin Myers-trained Bozo.

“The ability is there now but he is a big, raw sort and will improve mentally and physically and I think he is a chance of being a Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) horse,” Didham said.

“He went super at Wellington, it was a really good run and Bozo is pretty smart.”

Bred by Cambridge Hunt, Danjuro was secured by Didham for $140,000 out of Curraghmore’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.

He is a son of the Shinko King mare Kabuki, who is a half-sister to the late Group One winner and successful sire Tavistock and the family of the dual Gr.2 Moonee Valley Cup (2600m) Precedence and the Listed Japan Cup (2400m) winner Jupiter Island.

“He’s a lovely horse and I’ve always had a lot of time for him,” Didham said.

Danjuro is currently sharing the fifth line of betting at $14 in the Guineas market.

“Crocetti is obviously pretty good, but I think the others look quite even. It’s good stake money and we’ve got to go and chase it,” Didham said.

His more immediate interest will be on runners at Wanganui on Thursday and at Trentham on Saturday with a couple at the former venue rated good prospects.

“Morus always gallops well so he’s a chance with a good run and Glorifilia has had a few knee problems, but has a lot of ability,” Didham said.

A son of Savabeel, Morus ran third when resuming at Waverley and has improved further for the G Bristol & Sons Handicap (1600m) after making late ground for sixth at his most recent appearance at Waverley.

The lightly raced Zed mare Glorifilia has had two trials ahead of her return in the Wanganui Insurance Brokers Maiden (1360m).

Didham is also keen on the chances of the in-form Moon Money in the intowin.co.nz Join A Syndicate Handicap (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday.

The Per Incanto mare placed in both outings last preparation before she successfully opened her current campaign off the back of a trial victory.

“She’s really good and has worked really well since her win at Taupo,” he said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk