Advance Party to stay in south

Quality harness racing filly Advance Party (Bettor’s Delight) will remain at the stable of John and Katrina Price and target the better three year old fillies races from her Winton base.

“She came back here after she went awful in her last race (8^th in the Northern Oaks). Barry (Purdon) felt that her early runs had got to the bottom of her,” John Price said.

As he pointed out, Advance Party’s first three starts were all run in New Zealand record breaking times.

“She had a really good spell and has been in work for three and a half months.”

In today’s (Aug. 10) race she got well off the early pace and had to lead the chasing bunch up. Driver Nathan Williamson got a nice drag into the race on the back on an improving He’s A Meister (He’s Watching). Turning in he’d hit the front and he won by a length and a quarter from Tartan Raider (Bettor’s Delight) with four and a half lengths back to the third horse American Mac (American Ideal).

ADVANCE PARTY REPLAY

Price says it’s likely Advance Party will stay in the South Island and a trip to Addington on the 25^{th of} August for a heat of the Nevele R Fillies Series will probably be her next start.

“There’s another heat early in September so we’ll see how we go. Most of the good three year old fillies races are in the South Island.”

Advance Party is the daughter of Democrat Party (American Ideal). The partnership rates her as the fastest horse to come out of their stable, and they’ve had some pretty nice ones over the years.

“She was a bit of a handful at the workouts and getting onto the track today, but I think she was a bit above herself.”

There’s some strong competition ahead for Advance Party with all conquering Millwood Nike, (Captaintreacherous) unbeaten in fourteen starts, Kahlua Flybye (Bettor’s Delight), Ardiebytheseaside (Downbytheseaside) and Treacherous Gall (Captaintreacherous) to name a few.

“We think we’re right up there with the best ones but time will tell. I think she’s better with a sit but since she’s been at Barry’s I think she’s got a lot tougher.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink