Promising stayer Danjuro has been a work in progress with time expected to further improve his racing manners.
The son of Saxon Warrior has showed his talent with four wins on the board and the promise of adding to that record when he steps out in the Steelform Roofing Waverley Cup (2200m) on Sunday.
“He’s always showed ability, but he is quirky and he ran off at Wellington one day,” said Peter Didham, who prepares the five-year-old with son Trent.
“He’s done a couple of odd things and can be on and off the bridle, he’s like a big baby.
“A horse like this probably wouldn’t have been broken in until he was three or four in the old days, he’s a beautiful horse but big and gangly.”
Danjuro posted his third middle-distance success last time out and the winning margin didn’t do the son of Saxon Warrior justice.
“At Otaki, he was going to win by three lengths and then he just switched off and won by a head,” Didham said.
“Racing and time will sort that out I feel, we’ll just take him along quietly this year and I think next year he could end up a better Cups horse.”
Danjuro was a debut winner and at his third appearance finished sixth behind Crocetti in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), but Didham knew the best would be seen of the gelding over ground.
“I always thought he’d be a stayer with his body frame, and we work him like that. I’m happy with where he’s at and when he behaves himself in his races, he’s got it left at the finish,” he said.
Danjuro will be partnered by Kavish Chowdhoory, who has been aboard in the gelding’s last six appearances.
“It’s good to have a regular rider on him, he’s not a hugely difficult horse to ride though and the more you get to know him, the more you like him,” Didham said.
“He’s run second at Waverley before and drawn one he should be able to race in behind the pace.”
The stable will have multiple runners at the meeting and at Trentham on Saturday.
“We’ve got seven in and they’re all nice each-way chances and Shameless Star has been working well since she won,” Didham said.
“She has to step up to the Rating 65 grade and for a three-year-old filly that can be a bit tough, but she’s going well.”
Among their Trentham runners is Felucca, who will run in the Graham’s Painters Handicap (1400m).
The Time Test mare won both of her trials before she finished a close second when resuming in her first raceday appearance for seven months.