Awapuni filly War Princess will head up State Highway Three on Saturday to Wanganui in search of all-important black-type in the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).

The daughter of U S Navy Flag won two of her three starts as a juvenile, and was unplaced in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in March, and trainer Peter Didham is pleased with the way she has returned as a three-year-old.

She won a 1000m trial at Awapuni earlier this month, which piqued the interest of TAB bookmakers, who have opened her as a $4.80 equal favourite for Saturday’s three-year-old feature with dual stakes winner Platinum Diamond.

While he has a high opinion of his filly, Didham admitted to being a bit surprised when he saw his filly at the top of the market.

“She trialled really nicely,” Didham said. “She is very quick, so probably deserves to have a go around Wanganui and be in the field, but I am very surprised that she is favourite because it is a really strong field.”

Didham would have liked another couple of weeks up his sleeve before contesting the Guineas, but he is hoping his filly’s brilliance will have her featuring in the finish.

“It has come around a week or two earlier than I would have liked, her coat is just starting to move,” he said.

“Her two trials and two races that she has won, she jumped and ran and maintained a nice speed. We probably won’t change too much with that unless there is a tonne of speed and we can sit second or third like we did at the trial the other day.”

Looking ahead to the rest of spring, Didham said he will likely keep his filly to shorter trips.

“At this stage, she will probably be kept to sprinting, but who knows, she might get a little bit further,” he said.

-Loveracing.nz