Double celebration for Prices

Republican Partys (Bettor’s Delight) win in last night’s Group Two Lamb and Hayward ‘Canterbury Classic’ was cause for a double celebration by his breeders John and Katrina Price.

REPUBLICAN PARTY REPLAY

On Tuesday Republican Party’s dam Democrat Party produced her latest foal, a filly by Captaintreacherous.

“That was what we were hoping for. She’s the first foal she’s had that hasn’t been by Bettor’s Delight. She’s booked to go back to Captaintreacherous,” Katrina said.

Trained by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety, Republican Party is now quickly closing in on millionaire status and is only $71,016 away from the milestone.

“He’s such a genuine professional wee racehorse. We’re very proud of him. Carter (Dalgety) drove him superbly last night. They’ve just got a great partnership. He’s so versatile so Carter’s got options with him.”

The progeny of Democrat Party have now won thirty five races and there are a few more foals in the pipeline.

Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan bought her 2022 colt War Party who is an unraced two year old.

“He qualified but he was just doing a few things wrong so they’ve gelded him and he’s out for a long break.”

The Dalgetys bought Republican Party’s full-brother Tour Party at the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales in February.

“The reports on him have been very good.”

In last night’s pacing feature Carter got Republican Party away well from his second line draw and settled in the outside running line. At the 2000 he pushed the go button and progressed around the field to take up the pacemaking role. He ran his last 800 in 55.5 giving his rivals no chance of catching him and at the end of the 2600 metre feature was three lengths clear of Don’t Stop Dreaming.

The win was Republican Party’s second in the pacing feature. He won it in 2023 and last night’s winning time of 3-12.2 was identical to his 2023 win.

Carter’s first drive on him was a winning one in September 2022 at Addington and he’s now driven him in ten of his twenty three wins, including all four of his Group One successes.

Republican Party gave the young reinsman his first Group One win when he took out the Invercargill Cup last year. That win was followed by G1 successes in the Auckland Cup, the New Zealand Messenger and the Roy Purdon Memorial.

In the Canterbury Classic fifty four year history, nine horses have gone in to win the New Zealand Cup in the same year: Lunar Chance, Lord Module, Bonnies Chance, Master Mood, Monkey King (2), Terror To Love, Lazarus and Self Assured.

The Prices will be heading north for Cup Week not only to see Republican Party in the $1,000,000 IRT New Zealand Cup, but to watch Ruby Roe, Chicago Sky, Duchess Maria and Indulge Me, all of whom they bred and own.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink