Carter Dalgety on Republican Party’s NZ Cup chances – “if we can get to the front I won’t be handing up.”

[Wandering Eyes]

By Michael Guerin

One man may hold to the key to today’s $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington.

There will be 15 high class pacers from 11 different stables and two countries in our greatest harness race over 3200m but what Carter Dalgety chooses to do in a few crucial seconds around the middle of the race could determine the outcome more than just about anything else.

Dalgety drives New Zealand’s leading hope Republican Party, trained by his parents Cran and Chrissie, who have craved a New Zealand Cup win since they were kids. This is their chance. 

Republican Party has been clearly the best pacer in New Zealand this spring with three crushing victories in fast times and on all three occasions he has held his top speed to the line.

That is crucial in a New Zealand Cup, where the searing speed over the long trip means the Addington home straight is no place for those who flinch.

There is plenty of class among local rivals like Akuta, Merlin and We Walk By Faith in particular but on his form of the last year, and even more so this spring, Republican Party’s best has the Kiwis covered. 

So what is the problem? 

Well, it is actually there are two of them and one of them is the harness racing sun that puts everything else in his shade: Leap To Fame.

The Queensland champion returns to New Zealand where he won the Race By Betcha in April for a race of the same monetary value but worth so much more.

His trainer-driver Grant Dixon has always wanted to win a New Zealand Cup, a race  of near mythical allure to the best Australian trainers.

Leap To Fame has proved almost unbeatable, apart from a few occasions when below his best, when he has been able to lead.

He has beautiful manners so while his mid-front line standing start position will be a mental test for him today he should be no worse than midfield when everybody sorts themselves out.

But he is likely to be behind Republican Party as the Kiwi pacers do this big field, standing start stuff all year around.

If Dalgety secures that tactical advantage, after his spring form, it would seem logical he can head towards the lead inside the first lap.

Soon after could come the moment that decides this New Zealand Cup.

If Republican Party is in front and Dixon comes looking for control of the race Dalgety has two options: hand him the front or leave him parked.

Give the lead way and he is almost guaranteed being towed into second with the tiny hope he runs past Leap To Fame.

Leave the Aussie hero parked and he increases his chances of beating him but also copping pressure that leaves them both vulnerable late, including to the other Aussie in the race, Victoria Cup winner Kingman.

This time last year there would have been no decision to make. Republican Party was clearly inferior to Leap To Fame and he probably still is.

But that gap may have closed. Republican Party has gained a harder edge, constant battles have become frequent wins.

And after two recent defeats in Melbourne you could suggest Leap To Fame may have lost a percentage point or two of dominance. He is still the best horse in this race but no longer wears an undentable suit of armour.

A former First 15 rugby star, Dalgety is not one to be intimidated by those bigger and stronger than him, so his first thought is, if he gains an advantage, keep it.

“The biggest advantage in racing is being on the marker pegs, especially at Addington on Cup Day, so if we can get to the front I won’t be handing up,” he says.

“I know what a great horse Leap To Fame is, he is a champion, and there are plenty of other very good horses in his race but if we end up in that position and hand up, we probably concede defeat.

“Our horse has never been better. He is flying and has improved since Ashburton [last start].

“Dad has been waiting all his life to train a Cup winner and we may never get a chance like this again so we won’t give it away and if Leap To Fame, or anything else, can come from outside us or behind us to win then they are just too good.”

If that most likely of Cup scenarios plays out then Republican Party’s chances increase, Leap To Fame’s slightly reduce, and rivals like Kingman, Merlin, Akuta and We Walk By Faith all get a larger glimmer of hope.

And we could get the gift of a vintage New Zealand Cup.

Michael Guerin’s Cup selections : 

1 Leap To Fame
2 Republican Party
3 Kingman
4 Akuta 

 

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