That was just a little bit special.
Republican Party has run some mighty races during his short but brilliant career, but the Kentuckiana Lodge pacer went to a new level in his Lazarus Stakes win at Addington on Friday night.
After burning to find the lead, the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained three-year-old zipped home in an astonishing 54.7sec last 800m to register his most brilliant win yet.
Beating a classy field of three-year-olds, it must be said that the victory was career-defining for Republican Party.
“I think he has really stamped himself tonight,” Cran said.
“We knew we had a lovely horse and I am sure he is well respected out there.”
“But tonight I think we saw what we thought he is really capable of.”
“It is immensely satisfying to see his improvement continue to the point where he can beat a very good field like that.”
Cran and Chrissie have always had a big wrap on Republican Party but knew that with time the pacer was only going to get better.
That meant patient handling earlier in the year, which is clearly paying off now.
And the timing couldn’t be better with New Zealand Cup Week and the New Zealand Derby approaching.
“He has matured physically and mentally,” Cran said.
“He has always had the wheels, but now he has really bulked up and he looks like he could go a few rounds with Mike Tyson.”
“His top two inches have really started to click now, too.”
“He is very settled in the stalls at the races now and he can go out onto the track and plod along in his prelim but once that mobile starts rolling, he knows it’s time to flick the switch.”
“The other horses came up to him in the straight but his determination meant there wasn’t much chance they were going to get past him.”
“That is the best result with any racehorse, if you have them fit and healthy and treat them like kings and queens, all you can ask is that they go out and try their best.”
“Well, I think this fella tries 150%.”
Republican Party will now have his second crack at Group One level in the $100,000 Flying Stakes at Addington on October 14.
The colt heads back to the elite level after his second in Sires Stakes Final on New Zealand Cup Day last year.
“The timing of the race is perfect because was are on the up.”
“I would expect the horse to improve with tonight’s run and hopefully he will be even sharper again when the big money is up.”
“We will try to keep our feet on the ground and the horse happy and well for the next fortnight.”
Republican Party stopped the clock in a sensational 1-54.9 mile rate on Friday night.
