If your jaw dropped while watching Kentuckiana Lodge colt Republican Party’s incredible fresh-up win at Addington on Friday night, you were not alone.
Both horse and driver turned heads with their brilliant display, with Carter Dalgety guiding the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained three-year-old to a superb win from the horror barrier 9 draw over 1980m.
Perhaps the biggest question after the race was which was better – Republican Party’s effort or Carter’s drive.
After the victory, Carter humbly gave all credit to the horse.
“He has gone absolutely super, I was rapt with him.”
“Before the race, I was thinking we were going to be a long way back.”
“But shortly after the start, I thought there was an opportunity to press forward.”
“The front might not have been there if I was driving something else, but this horse has that much acceleration it didn’t matter.”
“Coming around the turn he was travelling super and he just needed clear air, really.”
“I didn’t pull the plugs or anything and he has won as he liked.”
“It is great that everything has worked out tonight but the best thing is that the horse has started his preparation off on a great note.”
“He will take a lot of improvement from that run, so it is exciting moving forward.”
Republican Party will now be aimed at the Lazarus Stakes at Addington as a lead-up to the Group One Flying Stakes at the same track next month.
The Dalgety team has no doubt that Republican Party has returned a stronger horse this spring.
His progression has come off the back of patient handling by Kentuckiana Lodge.
“You look at him and he has really strengthened up.”
“He has got that real colty neck on him and he looks a lot more powerful now.”
“We were patient with him through the summer last year.”
“He could have been at the Northern Derby and races like that but it was in his best interests to stay close to home and have a couple of freshen-ups to take him through to the spring.”
“We are seeing the benefit of that now and it is very exciting going forward.”
The Lazarus Stakes will be held three weeks from now, on September 30.
