Peter Didham and his owners can take a good deal of satisfaction from their dual representation in Saturday’s feature event at Trentham, regardless of the outcome.

The Awapuni trainer and connections have the unbeaten War Princess and the promising Shameless Star to do battle in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

The stablemates were purchased as early prospects and for both to be competing at the elite level this weekend is a sound reflection on the selection process.

“I’ve got a great bunch of owners, and we got together and identified that Entain had put some decent stake money up,” Didham said.

“We went and bought a couple of horses that we hoped would make two and three-year-olds and now we’ve got two runners in the Sires’ Produce so we’re really excited.”

The fillies are raced by Ian Middleton’s Exempt Bloodstock and Chelsea Connections Ltd, also Auckland-based, with Palmerston North couple Brendon and Debbie Hart.

A daughter of U S Navy Flag, War Princess was secured for $77,500 out of Haunui Farm’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstocks National Yearling Sale while Shameless Star was offered by Woburn Farm and bought for $55,000.

War Princess goes into the Sires’ Produce with the form on the board following two comfortable front-running victories.

“I’m really happy with her and she galloped 1000m here (on Tuesday) on the new grass track and I thought she was excellent,” Didham said.

“It’s a huge jump from winning at Tauherenikau and Wanganui to taking on a big 1400m at Wellington.

“It’s only her third run and there’s a question whether she’s seasoned enough, but she deserves a go.

War Princess is a half-sister to juvenile winner and Karaka Millions placegetter Appellant.

“She’s a funny horse, she’s not brilliant on the track but she won a jump-out, a trial and a race and then a trial and another race,” Didham said.

“She has just kept finding each time, so we haven’t really tested her too much to know what we’ve got. She is an easy-going filly and good to train, she’s lovely.”

By Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk