Awapuni visitors Peter and Trent Didham made their mark on Bayleys International Raceday last weekend with by Omega Boy’s thrilling victory in the Group 2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy. The result not only delivered a career-defining win, but also an unexpected ticket to Japan for the training duo.
Omega Boy provided the standout moment of the day, charging home late to claim the Group 2 feature in style. The five-year-old son of Time Test has long hinted at his quality, and this preparation has seen him truly come into his own. With two wins from his previous four starts and competitive efforts in both the G3 Phar Lap Trophy and G2 Thorndon Mile, the signs were there, he just needed everything to fall into place.
And on Saturday, it did.
Ridden with patience and confidence by apprentice Sam McNab, Omega Boy settled midfield, one off the fence, as the tempo was set up front. When the field began to quicken approaching the home turn, McNab held his nerve, threading through a gap and setting out after race favourite Sterling Express.
Inside the final 250 metres, the challenge was on and Omega Boy snatched victory from the race favourite right on the line.
For co-trainer Peter Didham, the result was as satisfying as it was significant.
“We actually didn’t know anything about the Japan trip until after the race,” he admitted. “But this was a target race and he went out and did us proud.
“I was more excited for the owners, Ian and Dave Scott as they bred and race him and he’s a horse that’s going places. To get his chance at a Group 2, and for trainers like myself and Trent, it’s a big thrill.”
The win marked a new high for the father-son training partnership.
“It’s right up there,” Didham said. “It’s the most significant race we’ve won together. We’d won a Group 3 before, but a Group 2 is another level.”
While confident heading into the race, Didham knew the challenge ahead.
“We thought he was a top-three chance. He just keeps improving, he’s a bit of a quiet achiever. But in those big races, you need a bit of luck too.
“They weren’t really making ground from back or off the fence, and he was probably the only one who did. That made it an even better run.”
Behind the scenes, the victory was a true team effort, one that Didham was quick to acknowledge.
“We can’t do it without our staff. We’ve got a small team, but everyone plays their part,” he said. “I didn’t even travel up, our foreman Ashleigh McIntyre took him and looked after him brilliantly. The result speaks for itself.”
As part of the spoils of victory, the Didhams secured a coveted racing experience in Japan, thanks to Racing Tauranga’s long-standing relationship with the Japan Racing Association.
And while the prize came as a surprise, it didn’t take long for a decision to be made on who would be packing their bags.
“My wife and I are going,” Didham confirmed. “There was about a ten-minute discussion! Trent’s got plenty of time, we’ll just have to win it again next year for him.”
The trip will be a first for Didham to Japan, who is eager to immerse himself in both the racing and the culture.
“I’ve travelled a fair bit, but never to Japan. We’re only going for a short time, but the races will be a highlight. I love Japanese culture, they’re so advanced, and the chance to visit the training centre and see how they do things is exciting.
“In this game, you’re learning every day. You can never stop so this is an amazing opportunity.”
Beyond the personal reward, Didham sees the bigger picture for his stable and the wider New Zealand industry.
“For us, winning a race like this is great advertisement. We’ve only got 25 horses in work, so results like this help attract new owners and show our current ones that what we’re doing is working.
“And for Racing Tauranga, to have that connection with Japan, it’s impressive and it’s obviously a relationship that’s been brokered over some time. Opportunities like this don’t come around often and everyone we’ve spoken to has said you just have to go.”
With a Group 2 trophy in hand and an international experience on the horizon, Omega Boy’s black type victory has already opened new doors.
And if the younger Didham has anything to do with it, it might not be the last time the stable finds itself on this stage – Japan trip round two is in the planning!