Even with a decent draw, Dalgety admits beating Australian champions Leap To Fame will be a huge task in Saturday night’s $150,000 Group 1 Kilmore Cup (2180m).
The Republican Party gained an early lead from gate two, while Leap To Fame is the only runner in the back row from gate eight.
Dalgety is also aware that the Republican Party hasn’t raced in five weeks when she entered Kilmore.
“Compare that to Leap To Fame, who is rock solid and in his fourth race in as many weeks,” he said.
“Yes, our man did a great job at Pukekohe last week, but there’s nothing like racing to top them. Whatever he does this week will get him into the Hunter Cup the following week.”
The Republican Party arrived in Melbourne last Sunday, just hours after he was crowned NZ Horse of the Year following his huge 2025.
“I’m here with him now. He’s come through the journey well and is bright and bouncing around,” Dalgety said.
“I’m sure he’ll do well this week, but if we can get a good second place for Leap To Fame this week it will realistically show he’s on course for the Hunter Cup.
“While the Hunter Cup will obviously be much stronger again with Kingman and Swayzee involved, having them in there could really help us.
“We have to keep our hands off them, hope that they tackle each other hard, and that we have the last chance at them.
“We can disagree with them and beat them. The recent data shows that.”
One big thing in the Republican Party’s favor this week is the short distance of 2180 meters in Kilmore compared to the staycations Leap To Fame has enjoyed in Ballarat and Cranbourne over the past fortnight.
The Kilmore 2180m is a refined sprint race.
Despite this, Leap To Fame was quickly cut from $1.30 to $1.22, while the Republican Party fell from $3.10 to $3.30.
“That’s a help, but the way Leap To Fame is going, I’m sure Grant will make it a real test anyway,” Dalgety said.
“It’s quite scary when you see what he (Leap To Fame) did in that hot field at Cranbourne last week.
Leap To Fame needs to win again this week to keep its hopes of another $1 million Summer of Glory bonus alive.
After winning the Ballarat and Cranbourne Cups, the champion Queenslander can collect the bonus if he adds Kilmore and the Hunter Cup.
Champion trotting mare Keayang Zahara has this week off, paving the way for her stablemate Jilliby Ballerini to win the $75,000 Group 2 Kilmore Trotters’ Cup.
Jilliby Ballerini, who has won all three starts since returning from a NZ raid last November, has drawn pole, looks a likely leader and is $1.50 favourite.
For full race entries, click here.
Through Adam Hamiltonfor Harness Racing New Zealand
#Drawing #barriers #helps #Dalgety #warns #Kilmore #wont #easy