Tactically smart drive wins Messenger

In the $100,000 Group One Dawson Harford New Zealand Messenger, driver Carter Dalgety demonstrated all the skills that have made him a driver for the future, when he took out the pacing feature with Republican Party (Bettor’s Delight) at Alexandra Park tonight.

After leading early he handed up to Rakero Rocket before he came out of the trail to take up the front again.

“I was definitely going to come back around. I was surprised there was nothing (coming) from out wide.”

From there he dictated the race and held out late charges by Mo’unga and We Walk By Faith to win by a neck.

REPUBLICAN PARTY REPLAY

“I’m proud of the wee fella. We set him for this race. He’s proven so good over the longer distance. He didn’t let us down. He’s a wee cracker,” Carter said.

Trained by Carters’ parents Cran and Chrissie it was the entire’s twentieth win and adds to the Auckland Cup win he had in December.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink