Big milestone weekend for team Dalgety

It has been a weekend of milestones for the Dalgety family. Carter Dalgety brought up his 50th driving success at Addington on Friday night behind Watermelon Sugar (Sweet Lou), and Chrissie Dalgety brought up her 100th training success at Rangiora yesterday, when Sweet Coco (Sweet Lou) delivered an impressive harness racing victory in the Anne Thompson Graduation Final for the pacers.

West Melton trainer Chrissie Dalgety had 16 winners in partnership with co-trainer Nathan Purdon during the 2021 season, before joining husband and current co-trainer Cran from 2022. Since then, the pair have amassed 84 winners. In her training partnerships, Dalgety has a combined earnings of over $1.7 million in stakes. This is her third season as a trainer.

“It’s definitely a bonus and a buzz,” said Dalgety.

“It’s something I didn’t really expect to do, to be honest.”

The win had an x-factor as Dalgety’s son, Carter, was the successful pilot.

“Carter in the sulky certainly gives me a lot more enthusiasm … it’s very, very special.”

Dalgety (Carter) handled the filly patiently, sitting in the 1×1, before descending on them from the 450m, quickly putting paid to their rivals, covering the final 800m in 57 secs and final 400m in 28 secs, comfortably winning by 2 lengths. However, that may have been the last time we see Sweet Coco on our shores, as the horse was a recent purchase for Australian owners and is set to make the trip across the Tasman in the near future.

“She’s been purchased by some Sydney people.

“They were keen to give her this race today before taking her to New South Wales.”

SWEET COCO REPLAY

In bringing up Dalgety’s 100th win, Carter brought up his 51st victory as a driver, after achieving his 50th win two days earlier when Watermelon Sugar, also trained by Chrissie and Cran Dalgety, was successful at Addington on Friday night.

Both horses are progeny of Sweet Lou, who keeps kicking goals for Woodlands Stud. In fact, Sweet Lou sired 5 winners over the weekend, including Robin Hood at Cambridge on Thursday night for Graeme Rogerson and Dylan Ferguson, Raklou at Addington for Peter Hunter and Bluto at Addington for Brent & Tim White, to combine with Watermelon Sugar and Sweet Coco.

“We love the Sweet Lous.

“Watermelon Sugar was purchased by clients in America, who actually had shares in Sweet Lou. So they were keen to purchase some Sweet Lous at the yearling sales, and Watermelon Sugar came through.

“It’s a lot of fun watching him.”

Chrissie and Cran work a team of around 30, with 5 staff members.

In the trotters graduation final, it was the three-year-old What The Hill filly Celtic Arden who was successful for Robert and Jenna Dunn, driven by John Dunn. Celtic Arden began well from her wide draw, eventually trailing, and was too good up the passing lane to win by 1 ½ lengths. Her win gave John Dunn his 55th driving success this season and Robert & Jenna Dunns’ 62nd training victory for the season, extending their lead on the trainers’ premiership.

Meanwhile, Bob Butt did not take long to get back in the winners circle after a four month lay-off with a back injury. Butt reigned Angel Of Montana, who he also trains, to win the West Belt Motors / C Me First Painters Pace. Angel Of Montana began brilliantly from the stand to lead and Butt was able to dictate the speed, holding on to win by ¾ of a length from Lets Go Ringo.

For complete race results, click here

by Mike Love, for Harness News Desk