Cran’s read on the Lazarus

He rang in late but co-trainer of the Lazarus Stakes winner Republican Party (Bettors Delight) Cran Dalgety was clearly both surprised and rapt with the horses win in the three year old harness racing feature at Addington last night (Sep. 30).

“Every win that’s a surprise gives you a hell of a buzz. When you’ve got a hot favourite and you’re not expected to win that’s the buzz,” he said.

He said driver Blair Orange summarised the race perfectly.

“Everyone knew what he was going to do at the start. He didn’t gas them and the front was always going to be there. He got two 30.5 quarters and just put the hammer down from there.”

Dalgety says when Orange had a look round at the 600 to see where the opposition was it would have given him confidence.

“He looked back and saw Akuta was in the one one. He knew he (Akuta) had to peel out and go round another horse so that gave him a bit of confidence. Blair was pretty pumped after the run.”

At that point his trainer’s confidence was also growing.

“Those horses at the back that peeled would have had to have run some crazy 600. I thought, my wee fella’s got speed and if he rails around the bend into the lane, he’d be hard to catch and that’s the way it worked out. It was a surprise to everyone including myself. I was confident of a good run but not (of) beating you know who (Akuta).”

REPUBLICAN PARTY REPLAY

Dalgety says Republican Party will now target the New Zealand Junior Free For All on Cup Day at Addington.

“He’s up in the grades a bit for the handicap races so we’re in a bit of trouble there.”

Dalgety says the Bettor’s Delight colt is a very relaxed character who doesn’t give you a true indication of his ability on the training track but that he’s noticed a definite improvement in the horse this year.

“Tonight, he looked like an old grandma walking to the track and when he gets there he falls asleep, but on race day he lifts. In the last six months he’s improved five classes.”

Dalgety bought the horse for $210,000.

“I wish he was ten (thousand) (laughter), so we’ve got a bit to get back but that’s the sort of game we’re in. If you want to buy one you have to pay and wear the consequences later. There’s quite a big crew in this one. Because of the price I had to split him out into quite a few pieces instead of selling the back half of the house (laughter). There are some big stakes races to follow and we’ll be in them.”

Republican Party is out of the Group One winning mare Democrat Party who’s proving to be a real gem for John and Katrina Price of Winton. She’s also the dam of Advance Party who’s doing a very good job for Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.

“Barry actually rang me after the race because he was the underbidder on Republican Party. It just shows you how things often happen for the good. He missed on getting this horse, but the Prices sent him up Advance Party, so he still wins.” 

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink