Trojan Warrior
Kenton Wright Race Images
Despite being beaten by a veritable pencil line in last season's Gr. 1 Easter Stakes, Cambridge galloper Trojan Warrior can probably lay claim to being the "forgotten" horse when discussions take place around the respective challengers for this year's summer riches.
He may have shed that title at Tauranga on Saturday however as he came from last on the home turn, under the steadier of 60 kilograms, to register an impressive victory over some quality opposition in the O'Connor Warren Insurance Brokers sponsored Open 1400 metre handicap.
Although she expected a good performance even trainer Anne Herbert was surprised at just how well her stable star performed.
"He has been a horse that has taken plenty of time but I do think this year could be when we see the best of him," she explained.
"I knew he had come on after his first-up run at Ellerslie but I wasn't quite sure if he was ready to win just yet.
"He had to carry top weight which I thought would make it tough but to his credit he handled them pretty well in the end.
"It was a lovely ride by Cameron (Lammas). He gets on really well with him so hopefully he can stick with us over the summer."
Herbert admitted she doesn't have a plan set in concrete for the gelding's current campaign, preferring to play things by ear as the summer progresses.
"We have deliberately left things fairly loose as I just want see how he comes through his races," she said.
"That said he came home on Saturday night and ate everything in sight and was feeling pretty good about himself in the morning.
"Provided he does well over the next few days I am looking at the Group Three race at Ellerslie in a fortnight for his next run. The race is run at set weights and penalties so he should get in well under those conditions and his Easter Stakes run proved he can handle that level of opposition."
The Gr. 3 Eagle Technology Stakes is the feature event at Ellerslie on the 26th of November. – NZ Racing Desk
He may have shed that title at Tauranga on Saturday however as he came from last on the home turn, under the steadier of 60 kilograms, to register an impressive victory over some quality opposition in the O'Connor Warren Insurance Brokers sponsored Open 1400 metre handicap.
Although she expected a good performance even trainer Anne Herbert was surprised at just how well her stable star performed.
"He has been a horse that has taken plenty of time but I do think this year could be when we see the best of him," she explained.
"I knew he had come on after his first-up run at Ellerslie but I wasn't quite sure if he was ready to win just yet.
"He had to carry top weight which I thought would make it tough but to his credit he handled them pretty well in the end.
"It was a lovely ride by Cameron (Lammas). He gets on really well with him so hopefully he can stick with us over the summer."
Herbert admitted she doesn't have a plan set in concrete for the gelding's current campaign, preferring to play things by ear as the summer progresses.
"We have deliberately left things fairly loose as I just want see how he comes through his races," she said.
"That said he came home on Saturday night and ate everything in sight and was feeling pretty good about himself in the morning.
"Provided he does well over the next few days I am looking at the Group Three race at Ellerslie in a fortnight for his next run. The race is run at set weights and penalties so he should get in well under those conditions and his Easter Stakes run proved he can handle that level of opposition."
The Gr. 3 Eagle Technology Stakes is the feature event at Ellerslie on the 26th of November. – NZ Racing Desk