Though he clearly has all the physical attributes needed to win the New Zealand Derby, it’s Republican Party’s top two inches that impress Cran Dalgety the most.
Dalgety and wife Chrissie will seek back-to-back victories in the Group One Classic with their rising star following Krug’s win in last year’s edition.
Republican Party comes into the race as the continual improver in New Zealand’s male three-year-old pacing ranks.
The Dalgetys elected to sit out the Northern Derby, way back in March, preferring to let Republican Party continue to develop.
He clearly has, going by his epic spring form which includes a win over seasoned open-class horses in the Junior Free-For-All on New Zealand Cup Day.
Now that New Zealand Derby day is upon us, the Dalgetys have a bigger and better horse on their hands and not just in physical terms.
“He seems to have that all-round game you need for a Derby, or any kind of racing at the top level,” Cran said.
“And his top two inches are probably what stands him out from most horses.”
“He went to 2600m in the Junior Free-For-All and it could have turned pear-shaped when his boring pole broke.”
“But he took it all in his stride, he’s got that temperament when you can buzz him up but he will relax off when he needs to.”
“It is something that is more talked about in the thoroughbreds, but it is a big asset when going into a staying race in our code, for sure.”
Dalgety admitted he was pleased when Republican Party secured barrier 4 in the New Zealand Derby.
That alley gives the pacer a significant advantage over the favourite Akuta, who Republican Party downed in their last start meeting at Addington last week.
However, the trainer knows there is more to winning derbies than drawing well.
“We certainly won’t complain about the draw, we won’t be handing it back in a hurry,” the trainer said.
“With our horse being quite quick off the arm, we certainly have all the options there.”
“We’d like to think with the way he has been going over the past couple of months that most drivers would identify us as a horse they would want to be following.”
“But at the end of the day, the draw isn’t going to win us the race, it is just a nice starting point.”
“There are some very good horses in the race and if we are lucky enough to be on the winning end, we will have earnt it.”
Cran Dalgety has won two New Zealand derbies and both came from on-speed efforts.
Krug blasted the gate in his front-running win last year while Locharburn took out the 2014 edition with a huge effort, sitting parked throughout.
