Republican Party goes one better

The Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained Republican Party (Bettor’s Delight) improved on the second placing he achieved last year in the Hannon Memorial, when he won today’s $40,000 harness racing feature at Oamaru.

Beaten last year by Aardie’s Express, today driver Blair Orange showed his intent early with Republican Party and took the entire to the top. He dictated the tempo and held on to win by half a head from a fast finishing Pinseeker, with half a length back to Macandrew Aviator in third.

REPUBLICAN PARTY REPLAY

“With just having the two trials you can’t go into the race too cocky. He blew out in the last 80 metres and just got there. He’ll improve on that. Being one of the favoured ones Blair drove him with confidence and eliminated bad luck. We got to the sharp end and were lucky enough to hold on,” Cran said.

The winning time was 3-15.4 with the last 800 cut out in 55.5. The race and track record of 3-13.4 is held by Cullen’s Creek and Spankem.

“He’s had that Free For All season in his behind and he’s hardened for it. He’s definitely a grade better now (than this time last year) but he has to be too. I feel confident that he’s going to compete with the better ones. He’s very simple to train. I do nothing out of the ordinary with him. I should be charging half training fees really (laughter).”

Only six horses have won the Hannon and gone on to win the New Zealand Cup in the same year; Johnny Globe in 1954, Bonnies Chance in 1982, Inky Lord in 1989, Bee Bee Cee in 1994, Iraklis in 1997 and Kym’s Girl in 2001.

The next race for the open class pacers will be the $60,000 Group Two Lamb and Hayward Canterbury Classic at Addington in eleven days times.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink