Photo: Race Images (Peter Rubery)
The superlatives were flowing once again at Hastings for amazing mare War Princess (US Navy Flag)as she sat three wide throughout the Gr.3 Timberspan Spring Sprint (1400m) before displaying her undoubted will to win as she defeated Matamata raider Affirmative Action and the late closing Amazing Son in a thrilling finish to the Group Three contest.
The victory completed a winning treble to commence her Spring campaign, with all three wins coming at the Hastings track.
Trainers Peter and son Trent Didham presented the daughter of US Navy Flag in tip top condition once again and she raced right up to those looks in a contest where she was forced to sit wide for rider Craig Grylls before making her bid for glory with 600m to run.
Grylls tracked Affirmative Action into the race, and it was obvious at the 300m that the pair would fight out the finish, although at that stage the Pam Gerard-trained runner up looked to have the measure of War Princess.
Grylls got to work and she slowly gained the ascendency to draw away in the last few strides and defeat Affirmative Action, with Amazing Son rattling into third just a half-length away.
Peter Didham reaffirmed the post-race plan for his charge as he thanked his stable staff for their work with the mare.
“We had a plan to start with that we were going to give her three runs then turn her out and bring her back after Christmas as we think that is when she is at her best,” Didham said.
“She is not even four yet, still a week away, and so it was a tough effort up a class.
“When you saw her out the back today, she was ready to go and that’s due to our fantastic staff.
“Toni (Davies) rode her on Tuesday and said she galloped better than she had for the start before.
“She has won eight from 14 starts which is pretty amazing and she probably should have won another, so we are really proud of her.
“She will go out for two weeks now as there are some really nice fillies and mares’ races after Christmas, although plans do change in racing.”
Grylls was effusive in his praise for the mare and the performance she had put on.
“I couldn’t get in and was wide the whole way,” he said.
“I got some cover coming to the bend with the second horse (Affirmative Action) dragging me into it.
“I got up to it, but it kicked and she really had to find something.
“It was a tough performance, and she is a proper racehorse in the making.
“She did come off the bridle, but I knew I had more there as she is just so willing and wants to do it.”
Offered by Hanui Farm during the Book 2 sale at Karaka in 2024, War Princess was purchased by Exempt Bloodstock and Didham Racing bought for $77,500.
She has now had 14 starts for eight wins and more than $471,000 in prizemoney.
