Eshay has shown trainer Peter Didham plenty of ability in work on Awapuni’s polytrack and he is hoping she can bring that to raceday this week.

The daughter of Contributer will have her first start on the synthetic surface on Thursday in the Martin Collins NZ 1400m and Didham’s only concern is her draw of eight in the 10-horse field.

“I really like Eshay in the first. She has shown ability on the poly but has drawn wide,” he said.

“The poly last time was really front-runner bias and she could get caught midfield, three-wide.

“As long as they are running on from midfield, she is a really good chance.”

Didham will also line-up Pleasure in the Aberdeen On Broadway 1200 and is hoping she can continue her good form despite also drawing gate eight.

“She has got a tricky draw, but she always competes and tries hard, so she should be in it.”

Didham’s team will be rounded out by Gumbasher who will try and improve on her last start placing in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1400m).

“She should get the run in behind Ruby Seeker (from barrier two) and have her chance,” Didham said.

“She has been good on the poly and was huge last start in a three-year-old race with some nice horses in it. She is improving all of the time.”

Looking ahead to Otaki on Saturday, Didham will be represented by debutant Wal in the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) and Far Site in the Levin Truck Services (1600m).

“Far Site is best over distance, so she is having a couple of runs to get her ready for early September. There are some nice $65,000 staying races for her at Hastings,” Didham said.

“I swapped from the 75 to the Open because she was going to get topweight. I think she will run on and be a place chance in a small field.

“I was going to give Wal another trial and then turn him out, but then I thought we could run for $65,000 and a lot of the owners are from around that area and they can come and have a look at him.

“He is probably going to be better around the end of the year on good tracks. He is a nice horse and he has shown ability but he is there more for experience.”