The final piece of the Hunter Cup puzzle has arrived in Victoria.
Freshly crowned New Zealand Horse of the Year and last year’s Republican Party runner-up in the Hunter Cup (Gambler’s delight) is here.
Co-trainer Cran Dalgety confirmed he would prepare for the $250,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup in next Saturday’s $150,000 Group 1 Kilmore Cup.
The Republican Party, who was crowned NZ Horse of the Year last Saturday evening, has not ridden this year. His last start was a successful defense of his Group 1 Auckland Cup title at Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve.
It was his third win in as many starts since finishing sixth in the NZ Cup and second in the NZ free-for-all during Cup Week at Addington in November.
“Ideally we would have liked to have had a run-in before going across, but we went to Alexandra Park last Thursday with a few other horses for a private trial and got as close to a racing scenario as possible,” Dalgety said.
“He ran super duper times, but they all seem to do that these days.
“He is exactly where we want him and it will be great to bring him to Kilmore and have that under his belt for the Hunter Cup.”
Dalgety’s son, Carter, who runs the Republican Party, said last year’s unlucky third-place finish in the Hunter Cup behind Swayzee and Leap To Fame “fueled” a comeback charge.
“It showed that he can be a good match. With more luck he would have been close to winning,” he said.
“I’m sure he’s a better horse now too. His form says that. Not just his form, but the way he’s really dominated some of the races here (NZ).”
“He can really bully a field now, something he couldn’t do a year ago.
“I’m sure last year’s journey helped him reach the next level.”
That improvement and confidence in the Republican Party spurred Team Dalgety to try their luck and maintain the lead in the NZ Cup.
“He was just so good in the run-up and was in such a good spot, we thought it was going to be ‘then or never,’” Carter said.
“While Kingman and Leap To Fame were simply great… too big and too strong, I don’t want to sound like I’m making excuses, the Republican Party definitely underperformed that day. He should have finished third.”
“He did better in the free-for-all on Friday and the best part is how he came out on the other side of those two runs.”
The Republican Party has won all three starts since then, including successfully defending his Invercargill and Auckland Cup crowns.
“Those two runs were huge. They just showed me how far he has come in the last year,” Carter said.
“Invercargill was great and I thought Akuta had him in the Auckland Cup but he went up and just wanted to win. He’s mentally stronger now.”
That said, don’t expect the Republican Party to try to match the Aussie big guns in their own Hunter Cup contest.
“No, we’re really there to chase them down and try to take advantage if we can get an easier run and beat them last,” Carter said.
“These Aussie stars are on another level and what Kingman and Leap To Fame did in the NZ Cup really confirmed that. They were the ones racing for the first time and from a standstill on a new track, which they were not used to, and they still dominated the race.”
Carter is excited to be a part of it.
“It may be a long time before I have one good enough to take part in these types of races again. I hope not, but if you get this opportunity you have to grab it with both hands,” he said.
“Dad (Cran) reminds me he was about my age when he brought over Desperate Comment and won (a Victoria) Cup, so the pressure is on.”
Through Adam Hamiltonfor Harness Racing Victoria
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