The Cran and Chrissie Dalgety-trained outfit is on a good streak, winning six of his previous nine running races, and was favored to extend his winning run at Ascot Park last week.
Starting from his 20-metre deficit, the Republican Party settled in at the back of the field ahead of driver Carter Dalgety, while young player The Lazarus Effect (NZ) (Lazarus) set a brisk pace in advance.
The Republican Party walked across the field and parked outside The Lazarus Effect near the bell. His relentless pace began to take its toll on some of his rivals, including the chasing Macandrew Aviator (NZ)(Panspatial flight) which began to weaken and the Republican Party was able to drift into The Lazarus Effects in the 400 meters.
On the way home, The Lazarus Effect looked to be full of running and pedaled away again, but the Republican Party gave chase and was able to wear down his rival, eventually putting him ahead by the nose, and he went on to score a three-quarter victory.
“We knew the race would never be handed to him from 20 meters behind,” Carter Dalgety said.
“Bob (Butt) ran the perfect race and his horse (The Lazarus Effect) is a really good horse, but my guy dug in, he had to earn it and he nodded and did just that. I couldn’t be prouder of him.”
The Republican Party will head to the other side of the country next week, where he will attempt to defend another title – the Gr.1 Auckland Trotting Cup (3200m) at Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve.
“He loves this time of year, he’s a horse in the zone and it makes sense to bring him to Auckland,” Dalgety said. “We had a few options, we could sit back at home and pamper him, but he is very hardened for this open class racing and we think he can handle it his way, as he usually does.”
Bred by Katrina and John Price, Republican Party is a daughter of Group One artist Champagne Party and the dam of Group One artist Advance Party.
The Republican Party was offered through Price Bloodstock’s 2020 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale concept in Christchurch, where it was purchased by Cran Dalgety for $210,000.
The six-year-old has now won 26 of his 63 starts to date, including five at Group 1 level, and has amassed more than $1 million in prize money.
| Supplier | Blood Supply Price |
|---|---|
| Copper | Cran Dalgety |
| Owner(s) | Mrs CM Dalgety, GE Dickey, Mrs JE Rooney, GA Ayers, First Term Syndicate, DA Schollum, KJ Cummings, BA Smith, GP Merlo, A&M Syndicate |
| Breeding | Gambler’s delight – Democratic Party |
| Sale | 2020 National Standardbred Yearling Sale, Christchurch ($210,000) |
| Breeder(s) | F. J. Price, Mrs. K. V. Price |
By NZB Standard bred
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