Racing: Bold showing tipped at Matamata

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

Another bold showing is expected today 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 group one 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 [today] 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.

- NZ Racing Desk