By Jonny Turner
The spring party starts on Friday night and it will go all summer long.
Kentuckiana Lodge trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety are thrilled to have Tour Party kicking off what they expect to be a huge campaign at Addington on Friday night.
The star pacer will put his unbeaten record on the line when he takes on a stellar line-up of two-year-olds.
Though he ranked as the country’s number one of his age group in the first half of the year, Cran knows that the spring is effectively a level playing field.
“We were thrilled with what he did in his first campaign and we can’t wait to see what he can come up with this time in.”
“He’s come back bigger, bolder and better but there is no doubt his rivals have too.”
“For the sport and any harness racing fan, it is exciting that these good horses will be having some great clashes.”
“So we are looking forward to getting a run under our belt as we prepare to do battle in the big races.”
Though Tour Party will take good improvement from his first run since March, he is forward and ready enough to run a big race.
With Carter Dalgety to return from his South African tour next week, Anthony Butt will take the reins.
“He’s ready to rumble and we expect him to return on a nice note.”
“The preferential draw (8) means it won’t be straightforward; how the race pans out early may dictate what sort of task we have in front of us.”
“All in all, he is adaptable and we would expect him to be right in the fight.”
The Visionary will have his third career start for Kentuckiana Lodge alongside Tour Party.
“He has the motor there and has a bright future.”
“He is not the complete package yet but this race will be another good step forward for him.”
Kentuckiana Lodge starts a powerful team at Addington on Friday night, including Franco Sinatra in the New Brighton Cup.
The six-year-old has trialled twice ahead of taking on a New Zealand Cup lead-up.
“He is very healthy and well and his work has been pleasing,” Cran said.
“He’s the only one of the field that hasn’t had a start lately, which is against him, but he’s genuine and he should race well.”
Kentuckiana Lodge has plenty of three-year-old talent heading to Addington, with Eun Sogno, Franco Ankara and Freeze Frame all going head-to-head in the Ian Dobson Memorial.
Marble Arch also returns to racing on Friday night while Aardie’s Memphis debuts in Friday night’s opener.
Before Friday night’s action, Aardie’s Ideal represents the Dalgety barn at Winton on Thursday.
