Republican Party (NZ) Scores in Thrilling Sires Stakes Sophomore Classic
28 October 2022
Republican Party (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) combined brilliance and tenacity to produce an outstanding win in the $40,000 Listed Garrad’s Sires Stakes Sophomore Classic (1700m) at Ashburton on Monday.
The outstanding Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained colt led home a first four filled with NZB Standardbred graduates when shrugging off a thrilling early battle for the lead to hold out Sand Wave (NZ) (Somebeachsomewhere), Franco Mac (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Bach (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
Republican Party was a $210,000 purchase by Cran Dalgety at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale from breeder-vendors Price Bloodstock.
The classy colt went to war with third-placegetter Franco Mac as soon as the mobile left in the Sires Stakes Sophomore Classic.
But the early burn took little out of Republican Party, who held off an outstanding field in a very strong performance.
Though onlookers had concerns about how hard the three-year-old had worked early, Cran Dalgety had faith in both his horse and his driver, Blair Orange.
“The reason we put Blair on is because he is the best,” Dalgety said.
“He has full faith in this horse, he doesn’t overstate it but we know he loves this guy.
“Together with how highly we think of him, we came around the corner with plenty of confidence.
“It was a very strong win by a good horse and both horse and driver made a statement today.”
Dalgety credited his horse’s outstanding attitude and manners for also playing an important role in the victory.
“He has a great attitude and is very switched on in the top two inches,” Cran said.
“He can fire out of the gate like that and then relax in front when asked to.
“He doesn’t carry on charging along like other horses do.
“Certainly being very adaptable is a major strength in any race, but when you are racing the high-class horses it is definitely important,” he said.
Sand Wave lost no admirers with his gutsy second after moving up to sit parked outside of Republican Party for much of Monday’s feature.
Sand Wave was offered at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale by breeder-vendors Mike Atkins and Greg Adlam of Gama Breeding.
Franco Mac fought determinedly along the inner to finish third and round out an NZB Standardbred trifecta.
The three-year-old was a $60,000 purchase by the All Stars Stable from breeder-vendors Spreydon Lodge at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.
Bach ran on to take fourth, clinching a first four for NZB Standardbred graduates in Monday’s feature. Bach was purchased by Eynon Farms for $70,000 from Studholme Bloodstock’s draft at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.
| Consignor | Price Bloodstock |
| Purchaser | Cran Dalgety |
| Breeding | Bettor's Delight - Democrat Party |
| Sale | 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $210,000 |
| Breeder | F J Price & Mrs K V Price |