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Important update on 1476AMDidham’s team set to make impact at Ashburton
Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • April 15th, 2026 2:00 pm
Candle will contest The Jan Hay Handicap (1200m) at Ashburton on Thursday | Photo: Race Images South
Richard Didham is expecting bold showings from all four of his runners at Ashburton on Thursday.
The highest rated of the Canterbury trainer’s representatives is the Super Easy mare Candle, who will drop back in grade in The Jan Hay Handicap (1200m) in a bid to add to her record of five victories.
The seven-year-old hasn’t been far away in recent starts and last time out finished fourth on the course behind Toa Haka, the subsequent winner of the $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) at Riccarton.
“You don’t get any better form in the South Island at the moment, and she was only four lengths away the other day in the open race,” Didham said.
“She’s back to a Rating 75 with a claim and she does get back in her races, but I’m expecting her to be flying home.
“We were probably hopeful of a wee bit of rain, but she should still be right in it with that claim.”
With apprentice Sima Mxothwa booked for the ride, Candle’s impost will be reduced to a more manageable 57.5kg.
Time Test five-year-old Speed Dial has been racing well, and regular rider Leah Hemi will guide her fortunes in The David Walsh Handicap (1600m).
She has a win at Kumara and three placings from her last five appearances and most recently finished close up in eighth over the course and distance.
“I think she was in the wrong part of the track on the inside,” Didham said.
“She was only a neck back off fourth and this is essentially a drop back in grade again and with only nine runners, I’m expecting her to bring back that good form again.”
Roca Mile was out of the frame in his only previous attempt at a middle distance and the El Roca gelding is tipped to produce an improved performance in The Peter & Dawn Williams Handicap (2200m) in the hands of Elen Nicholas.
“There was no mile for him and I’m expecting him to go well. He’s had one go over the distance, but when he wasn’t bang on and I would be disappointed if he doesn’t run in the money,” Didham said.
“He has won at Ashburton over a mile before and was a wee bit unlucky the other day, he didn’t get all favours.”
Didham has an excellent chance of early success when Private Treaty steps out in the opening event, the Hygain Stayers’ Challenge Maiden (2200m) with Hemi aboard the Tivaci mare.
“Private Treaty been a bit unlucky for us with 11 starts for five seconds and a third,” he said.
“She’s been very close to winning one and back on a better track, I know it was soft last time but it was closer to heavy, could be the difference for her.”
