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Stayer ready to continue hot form

3 minute read

Progressive stayer Trojan Warrior will have at least one more opportunity to further his record before he goes for a deserved break.

Trojan Warrior running in the Kaimai Stakes Picture: Trish Dunell

Another bold showing is expected on Wednesday of the four-year-old in the Lally & Symes South Waikato Cup at Matamata where he gave a strong account of himself in better company last time out.

“He’s been a slow developer, but he’s really hitting his straps now and he’s all but there,” trainer Anne Herbert said.

“I’m very happy with him and I think he’ll be super competitive.”

Trojan Warrior has won two races this preparation and has raced well out of his grade with a close fourth in the Karaka Stayers’ Cup behind subsequent Gr.1 Auckland Cup runner-up Rose Of Virginia and a late-closing fifth in the Listed Kaimai Stakes.

“That was a huge run and he would have been harder to beat if he had drawn better,” Herbert said.

“If he went particularly well tomorrow he could go down for the cup at Awapuni in a couple of weeks. It would be spell time after that and we’ll have him back in the spring to target some better races.”

Meanwhile, memories of a former stable star will be revived when Tats The Go makes her debut in the Prima Park & Trees Tavern 1200.

The three-year-old is out of a three-quarter sister to the 2003 NZ Horse of the Year Tit For Taat, whose five Group One victories also earned him champion three-year-old, weight-for-age and sprinter honours.

“She’s pretty talented, but it’s hard to label her as she’s a newbie and maiden races are hard to win at Matamata,” Herbert said.