By Jonny Turner
The Kentuckiana Lodge team are fired up and ready to embrace any adversity they may face on New Zealand Cup Day.
Trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety will start an outstanding squad of talented horses on New Zealand’s most anticipated day of harness racing.
When the draws came out for some of the Kentuckiana team’s biggest assignments, it may have sent other camps into crisis mode.
Cherish Me must overcome barrier 15 in the Nevele R Fillies Final while Tour Party has the draw on the outside of his arch rival Fear Not Faith in the Sires Stakes 2yo Final.
While the Dalgetys are usually upbeat, Cran’s take on how his two stars are placed is far from wishful thinking.
“When they gave us the outside of the second row for Cherish Me we weren’t jumping up and down with excitement.”
“But when we look at her talent and her health and fitness, we get pretty excited about that.”
“It is a challenge because we will have to negotiate traffic and perhaps be stuck in spots we’d rather not be.”
“But in terms of the horse and our faith in her, she is up to the task of winning from the draw.”
“She’s got a big motor and with an even amount of luck she can give this race a big shake.”
Fellow Kentuckiana filly All Of Me has drawn a much better spot in barrier 2, adding to her already strong winning claims.
“She just can’t be going any better, she’s drawn to be right amongst the action.”
“She’s a lovely chance.”
Tour Party hasn’t drawn disastrously, but the favourite will start from barrier 1 in his Group One test.
Similarly to Cherish Me, Cran’s focus is on his horse and his capabilities.
“I am sure many people will look at his record and think he’s got to lead and that won’t be possible.”
“But it is only very early in his career and it is mainly through circumstances that he’s been in front, usually because he’s been a hot favourite.”
“Tour Party is adaptable and he’s got high top-end speed, so the draw isn’t concerning us too much.”
“This has traditionally been a race with huge top-end pressure and we are happy enough that it won’t be us in the thick of it.”
The Kentuckiana team admit they would swap The Visionary’s draw in the Sires Stakes Final.
The two-year-old may be relying on a hot race tempo to work into the finish from barrier 8.
Kentuckiana Lodge will again be represented in this year’s New Zealand Cup with Republican Party and Franco Sinatra to take to the track.
Both look legitimate chances, though Cran is well aware of the challenge they face.
“We think we can compete hard but the Aussies will be very hard to knock off.”
“Republican Party is back on song with his good 2nd at Kaikoura while Franco Sinatra has the ability to put himself in a great spot with his manners.”
“There’s no reason either of them can’t be in the placings with any luck on the day.”
With 11 horses, Kentuckiana Lodge has winning chances right across New Zealand Cup Day.
Tetrick brings great form to the Group One Dominion while the consistent Aardies Memphis can start the day in style for the Dalgety stable in a suitable contest.
Lizzie Borden looks a big winning chance, dropping in grade after taking on topline fillies.
Marble Arch went an outstanding race on Kaikoura Cup Day and can go one better in the Cup Day finale.
Franco Ankara and Roger That also add depth to the powerful Kentuckiana squad.
