Republican Party too good in Sophomore

He did a power of work, but Republican Party (Bettor’s Delight) showed plenty of ticker to hold out a late charge from Sand Wave to win the Garrard’s Sires Stakes Sophomore Classic at the Ashburton Harness Racing’s ‘Magic Monday’ today.

Driver Blair Orange had to use a bit of petrol early to get past Franco Mac who also had designs on the lead, before Orange finally got to the top. After a short respite he then had to contend with Sand Wave who came up to sit parked.

The two eyeballed each other as they straightened for the run home. Orange waited until halfway down the straight before he pulled the ear plugs and Republican Party held on to beat Sand Wave by half of length.

The winning time of 2-01.7 for the 1700 metre mobile was outside of the New Zealand record of 1-59.9 which is held by Republican Party.

REPUBLICAN PARTY REPLAY

Republican Party was bred by John and Katrina Price of Winton and was sold to Canterbury trainer Cran Dalgety at the 2020 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales.

“He hurt his hock in the paddock two weeks before the sale. When the tour (SBSR Yearling Sale Tour) came through it was swollen. We had it x-rayed the next day and it was all fine. That was the only hiccup with him and by the time he went to the sale it was fine,” Katrina said.

Republican Party was sold for $210,000 and syndicated by Dalgety. Included in the ownership group are well known southerners Ann Mee and Margaret Creighton (A&M Syndicate) and their husbands Graeme and Phil. The Creightons had a share in last year’s winner Samhara.

“He wasn’t a big horse, he wasn’t small either, but he was very strong. We struggled to keep the weight off him, and it took a bit to trim him up because he was such a good wee doer. Cran’s been a great supporter. He bought Chicago Bear and our trotting filly (Princess Bella) last year so it’s good to see him having success with this fella.”

The Prices have a very valuable full brother to Republican Party and Advance Party in the paddock. He was born two weeks ago.

“It’s nice she’s (Democrat Party) had a colt because it tends to be a filly’s family. He’s the spitting image of his mother and Advance Party. Just a plain bay.” 

Democrat Party’s only other foal Smarty Party who is a full sister to Advance Party, has been retained and will be raced by the Winton couple.

“She’ll get broken in and we’ll have a go with her. We sold the mare’s first filly Debutante Party, so we need to have a couple of spares (breeding fillies) anyway.”

After today’s three year old feature the TAB brought the odds of Republican Party in from $3.80 to $3.50 and Sand Wave from $31.00 into $17.00.

For complete Ashburton Raceway results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink