Kentuckiana Lodge two-year-old Republican Party booked his ticked into a Sires Stakes Heat just a few races after Carter Dalgety notched an important milestone on a big Thursday night at Addington.
Carter was surrounded by family, including mum and dad Chrissie and Cran Dalgety and grandfather Jim Dalgety after he won his first race in the Kentuckiana Lodge colours with Mitsi Gaynor.
The junior driver showed perfect judgment, with just the right amount of aggression to ensure his charge got her chance for a well-deserved maiden victory.
Cran admitted he could not have been prouder.
“It was a great thrill to see Carter salute in our colours, having the family there, it was a pretty special occasion.”
“It was a great drive, too, because he put her in the race and she used a little bit of petrol to find the front but there was still plenty there when it counted.”
Mitsi Gaynor showed talent last season, mixing it with New Zealand’s best two-year-old fillies.
Owned by loyal Kentuckiana Lodge owner Larry Karr, the daughter of Karr’s star stallion Sweet Lou looks well placed to rack up more victories.
“I think that effort showed she is ready to go on with it," Cran said.
“She raced out of her grade through circumstances in her two starts before tonight and she raced very well, without a lot of luck.”
“She is a lovely filly and she’s shown speed and a bit of stamina tonight, so I would like to think she could go on with the job from here.”
Replublican Party could not have been more impressive when racing to victory for Blair Orange on Thursday night.
The Kentuckiana team opted to give the two-year-old a run in the grades before taking on a Sires Stakes heat and that was bad news for his rivals.
After securing a perfect run in the trail, the pacer raced away from his opposition showing just how well he has returned from his winter break.
“That was exactly what the horse needed, that race will do wonders for his confidence and for his fitness.”
“This was the sensible option, we could have gone to the Sires Stakes Heat but his opposition had all had racing where as we hadn’t.”
“Now that we have had that run we are off to Ashvegas for the heat there and I couldn’t be happier with him.”
Kentuckiana Lodge enjoyed a great week all around with Remember Me, Pelosi and Invitation Only trialling well on Wednesday at Rangiora.
- by Jonny Turner
Republican Party powers to victory:
A special moment for Carter Dalgety:
