Everything Kentuckiana Lodge can control is going to plan as Republican Party targets the New Zealand Cup.
The star entire continued his outstanding preparation for New Zealand’s greatest race when powering to victory at Addington on Friday night for trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety.
The win in the Canterbury Classic made it two from three for Republican Party this time in, who had run a gutsy fresh-up fourth.
Rather than get too far ahead of themselves or read too much into what is going on across the Tasman, the Dalgetys are firmly focused on what they can control.
“Going into any big race you are doing everything you can to have your horse cherry-ripe,” Cran said.
“The thing with the New Zealand Cup is the lead-up is months, rather than the weeks or days you hone in on for other big features.”
“That’s why it is so special and so hard to win — everyone is putting their skill to the test unlike any other time of year.”
“Along the way you can run into all kinds of speed bumps and little upsets, but at the moment we haven’t seen any.”
“That’s a great thing, and maybe a little scary to think what comes next.”
“Though in all seriousness, the horse is sound, happy and well and showing it on the track.”
“You can’t ask for any more — our job is just to do everything we can to keep him in this space.”
All of the talk around Republican Party recently has been about how he represents the home country’s best chance in the New Zealand Cup.
The pacer’s odds have only shortened with Swayzee’s quest for a New Zealand Cup hat-trick in doubt and Leap To Fame being beaten in his last two starts.
While some may think that is good news for Kentuckiana, it hasn’t changed a single thing.
“We have raced Leap To Fame three times and managed two placings,” Cran said.
“And we saw Swayzee race three or four days before he came over to win the last Cup.”
“These champion horses are never down for long — that is what makes them such stars.”
“We can’t worry about what they’re up to; we have the utmost respect for them and know they will provide the ultimate test on Cup Day.”
“Our focus is on having ourselves there and ready to rise to the occasion.”
Though Cran is attempting to remain calm, Friday night’s win will only build more excitement for Republican Party’s owners — Grant Dickey, Alistair & Julie Rooney, Greg & Leigh Ayers, David Schollum, Ken Cummings, Bernard Smith, Gary Merlo, the First Term Syndicate, the A & M Syndicate and Chrissie.
Kentuckiana Lodge bagged a double on Friday night when Franco Sinatra flashed home late for a thrilling victory.
The pacer relished stepping back in class and was able to show his true talent.
“We have had him in against the big boys a few times and he deserves his place there,” Cran said.
“But at that level you do need some circumstances in your favour; you never just turn up and win.”
“His last start in the Timaru Cup was disappointing but we regrouped and had a couple of work-ons, and we saw what he can do on Friday night.”
Friday night’s flashing victory was career win number 10 for Franco Sinatra’s owners.
The pacer is raced by Brendan and Nigel Fahy, Rex Knowler, Dougal Steel, and Steve and Raewyn James.
An outstanding performance from Forever Dream set up a winning treble for Kentuckiana Lodge on Friday night.
The filly worked hard to overcome barrier 13 and left her rivals with few excuses when she powered to victory.
“She’s been going great guns against the best fillies and this race was a slight drop back for her,” Cran said.
“We thought we would take advantage of that and cut her loose.”
“She worked harder than them and left and earnt her win, we were thrilled for her.”
The victory took Forever Dream’s record to four wins and five placings from just 13 starts for her big group of owners.
