Big weekend ahead for Dalgety stable

Cran and Chrissie Dalgety have a big harness racing night ahead before they are at the centre of one of Australasia’s most anticipated races

The Dalgetys start a nice three horse team at Addington on Friday night as well as starting a debutante in New Zealand’s first two-year-old race of the new season.

Once all of that is done, the Kentuckiana Lodge trainers will give Republican Party (Bettor’s Delight) his shot at the exciting Captain Ravishing in the Chariots Of Fire at Menangle.

Ajira (Bettor’s Delight) looks a big threat for the Dalgety camp in race 9 at Addington following his last start third at the same track.

“His last run was nice, he was only beaten a short margin and they ran handy splits on the way home,” Cran Dalgety said.

“Drawing nice again is a plus, he can take the short way home.”

“It looks an even field and hopefully he is as good of a chance as any.”

“His work suggests he will run well.”

Black Pearl (Bettor’s Delight) returns to racing in race 10 after impressing in her first campaign.

She’s trialled nicely ahead of her fresh up assignment against older horses.

“We go into the race quite happy with her, she is a nice filly up to these sort of classes.”

“The only reservation I have is that she’s just a baby compared to some of her rivals and they have all had a lot of hard racing.”

“Certainly there are no queries in the talent department, but from the draw (13) she just might need a little bit to go her way seeing as she is fresh up.”

Rakanotta (Somebeachsomewhere) starts in race 7 following a relatively disappointing effort at Oamaru.

The mare had been in great form prior to that run and her work since suggests she can bounce back quickly.

“We just had to put the Oamaru run behind us because it was out of character for her.”

“We can only put it down to her having a bad day at the office.”

“Her work since then has been great and if she puts her mind on the job she should race well.”

“Drawing 7 isn’t ideal but she can rough it a bit, so we won’t be using it as an excuse.”

Further north, Spirit Of Anarchy (Downbytheseaside) will have his first start in the first heat of the Young Guns Series at Cambridge on Friday night.

“His trials have been very pleasing and he has told us he deserves this trip north.”

“We know we like our horse and that he has a motor under the bonnet but we don’t know a lot about the opposition.”

“We can only line up and see how we measure up.”

“The draw (11) isn’t perfect but on talent he won’t be disgracing himself.”

Blair Orange drives Spirit Of Anarchy and Republican Party with Jonny Cox stepping in to drive the team at Addington.

For complete Addington race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner for Harness Racing New Zealand