Driver Carter Dalgety declared that the “dream is alive” after the Republican Party’s statements (Gambler’s delight) impressive harness racing victory in the Lamb and Hayward Canterbury Classic at Addington.
REPUBLICAN PARTY REPEAT
Trained by his parents Cran and Chrissie Dalgety, the pacer known as “Stu” was simply too good for his rivals in the Group 2 position.
He was the first to move and took the lead in the 1500 meters and never looked in danger when they were three lengths ahead.
It was the Republican Party’s second victory in the Classic, after eliminating it two years ago.
The Classic is the final automatic qualifier for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup, in Addington on Tuesday, November 11, although the Republican Party had already sealed its place in the big race by winning the 2024 Auckland Cup.
He has now won twice in a row this season and his latest victory has seen his Cup odds rise from $9 to $7. It will be his third New Zealand Cup after finishing third last year and fifth in 2023.
“He’s great, after that I’m a bit speechless,” said Carter Dalgety after the race.
“He has really gone to another level… the dream is alive.”
Don’t Stop Dreaming and Alta Meteor both continued their good form of late to fill the minors, with Merlin coming back and progressing to finish fifth.
In the main trotting of the evening, the RD Butt Canterbury Park Trotting Cup, Muscle Mountain once again showed its class by finishing last in the 800 meters and eventually winning quite comfortably after a very competitive Eurostyle.
The millionaire trotter had a generous quote of $6.90, with Oscar Bonavena heavily supported at $1.60 and Mighty Logan at $5.50.
Oscar Bonavena seemed to be having a good ride, but rider and co-trainer Mark was “disappointed” with the way his star trotter finished the race.
Muscle Mountain was controlled conservatively by co-trainer Ben Hope but broke away to overtake Eurostyle, who looked an upset winner from 200 meters out.
It was Muscle Mountain’s second win of the race and its 38th overall.
“He is a superstar and I am so proud to ride with him,” Hope said after the race.
MUSCLE MOUNTAIN REPEAT
With the race being the last of the automatic qualifiers for Renwick Farms, Dominion Trot Muscle Mountain also seals its place in the $400,000 Group 1 on the second Tuesday of November.
It is one of the few races that the multiple Group 1 winner has not won.
An action-packed evening saw Habibti Pat beat northerner Meant To Be in the 3YO Trot, favorite Greased Lightnin came too late to take out the Garrards Sires’ Stakes Sophomore Classic and Hayden Douglas took his first win at Addington after Franco Sinatra produced a huge finish to win with great expectations.
His return was nothing compared to the Michael House-trained The Next Best Thing. Driven by Sam Thornley he won the last and paid $161.40. It is believed to be a modern record.
For full race results, click here.
By means of Dave Di SommaHarness News Desk
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