Richly Deserved Group One Title for Republican Party (NZ)

Republican Party (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) clinched a richly deserved Group One title as he ran to a powerful front-running victory in the $100,000 Group One Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup (3200m) at Ascot Park on Friday.

The star pacer followed in the footsteps of his stablemate and fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Krug (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) when dominating the elite event for trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety and driver Carter Dalgety.

Republican Party followed nearly identical path to the Group One Invercargill Cup’s winner’s circle as Krug who brilliantly won the 2022 edition of the premier event for the Dalgetys.

Both horses were selected at the National Yearling Sale at Christchurch by Cran Dalgety and syndicated among similar groups of owners.

Along the way, both had performed with great merit in New Zealand’s elite races for two and three-year-old male pacers, before starring at open class level.

The only difference has been Republican Party hadn’t managed to snare a Group One victory along the way, despite multiple placings at the elite level.

But on Friday, that all changed.

“We have always had faith in this horse, he’s been so genuine for so long and we have always wanted him to get that Group One next to his name,” Cran Dalgety said.
“For him to do it today is very satisfying for our team and the great bunch of owners we have enjoyed the ride with.”

Republican Party made a brilliant beginning which set up his Invercargill Cup victory.

Just 500m into the feature event, the pacer had found the front for Carter Dalgety after starting from a 10m handicap.

“He got away great, which is something we have been working on and we just kept pushing forward,” Carter said.
“Once he found the front he was going to take a heap of getting passed and that’s exactly how it played out.”

It was a return to his home turf as Republican Party dominated the Invercargill Cup.

The pacer is a Southern Bred Southern Reared product, having been offered at the 2020 National Yearling Sale at Christchurch by breeder-vendors Price Bloodstock.

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.

Price Bloodstock will offer a full brother to the Group One winner at the upcoming 2025 National Yearling Sale at Christchurch on February 18, in Lot 312.

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