Republican Party Confirms Star Status with Group One Auckland Cup Win

Trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety dared to dream and it paid Group One winning dividends when Republican Party (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) triumphed in the $250,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup (3200m) on New Year’s Eve.

The NZB Standardbred graduate made it back to back elite victories when powering between runners to score for driver Carter Dalgety.

Republican Party broke through for his first Group One win at the opposite end of the country just eleven days prior, with his Group One Invercargill Cup victory (2700m).

The Dalgetys set themselves a challenging task to have Republican Party ready to peak again in the Auckland Cup and the horse’s result showed they achieved it in the best possible style.

“When we first thought about it, running in a Group One in Invercargill and then another in Auckland a few days later was a daunting task,” Cran Dalgety said.
“But he is such a professional horse, he took it all in his stride.”
“He got on the plane to Auckland and settled in up here straight away.”
“It has been a big couple of weeks, it’s very satisfying to see this horse get two really good races next to his name.”

Republican Party’s two Group One victories have been set up by the star pacer making brilliant beginnings.

The pacer put himself up on the speed in the Auckland Cup and once he saw clear air on the home turn he burst between runners to score.

“He’s had two 3200m starts this season, in the New Zealand Cup and the Auckland Cup and he’s attacked the line in both,” Cran said.
“It probably shows how he has kept improving with the more racing he’s had in open class and how staying really is his forte.”

It wasn’t just Republican Party that ended his year in the best possible style.

Carter Dalgety won his third Group One race with Republican Party just one day after sealing his victory in the New Zealand junior driver’s premiership.

“I can’t believe it really, the junior premiership is a really big goal to tick off,” Carter said.
“Then to win an Auckland Cup in my last drive of the season, it is just amazing.”

“Any kid that has grown up in harness racing would love to win an Auckland Cup and to do it is a huge thrill.”

Bloodstock investors will get the chance to secure a full brother to the dual-Group One winning Republican Party in Lot 312 at the 2025 National Yearling Sale at Christchurch on February 18.

The colt will be offered by Price Bloodstock who presented Republican Party for sale at the 2020 National Yearling Sale at Christchurch.

Secured by Kentuckiana Lodge for $210,000, Republican Party is raced by Grant Dickey, Ken Cummings, Gary Merlo, Julie Rooney, Greg Ayers, David Schollum, Bernard Smith, the First Term Syndicate and the A & M Syndicate.

Republican Party headed a first four of NZB Standardbred graduates in the Group One Auckland Cup.

Merlin (NZ) (Art Major) produced a big finish from the rear of the field to take second ahead of Sooner The Bettor (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Dalton Shard (NZ) (Sweet Lou).

 

Vendor	Price Bloodstock
Purchaser	Cran Dalgety
Breeding	Bettor's Delight - Democrat Party Bay Colt
Sale	2020 National Standardbred Yearling Sale, Christchurch $210,000
Breeder	John & Katrina Price