Dalgetys in for a busy day at Ashburton

By Mike Love 

West Melton trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety head to Ashburton today with a book of seven runners, most of which are sure to give punters something to cheer home. 

There are several features throughout the day, including the $40,000 Group Three Helen Pope Memorial 2YO Fillies Stakes (1.28pm) over 1700m.

In this event they line up Devil Woman ($10.00FF), driven by Carter Dalgety, who tasted defeat for the first time in her last outing at Addington. In that event she showed gate speed to lead before being run down into seventh. 

Co-trainer Cran Dalgety expects his filly will find a few of her rivals with an edge.

“She’d need to lift a wee bit. She’s in good shape, but there might be ones a bit classy for her,” said Dalgety. 

Other chances in the event include the two favourites, Nella Keenan ($2.05FF), with Ricky May for Steven Reid, and last start Bionic Chance Bracelet winner Beware The Storm ($2.35FF), with John Dunn for Nathan Purdon. 

Another feature is Race 6, the $30,000 Rural Business Accountants 3YO Championship Stakes (1.59pm) over 1700m. 

The race has a long history, dating back to 1933 with the Dalgetys winning with Republican Party in 2022. They will line up Freeze Frame ($3.30FF), with Carter in the bike. Freeze Frame has not won a race since winning the Sires Stakes Final on Cup Day at Addington last year. 

“He hasn’t had a lot of luck this time,” said Dalgety. 

Freeze Frame has been less than half-a-dozen lengths off Jumal in his last couple of runs, and this looks a slight drop in class today. 

Other chances in the event include current race favourite Stumblin In ($2.50FF), with Craig Ferguson for trainer Regan Todd, who was an eye-catching fourth to Jumal at Addington last time out. 

In Race 9,  the $25,000 Rakaia Seed Cleaning FFA Mobile Pace (3.58pm), over 1700m, Franco Sinatra lines up for Team Dalgety after a very gallant second placing in the Country Cups Final at Addington last time out.

Currently he's at $8.50, with Sideshow Bruce the $1.45 favourite.

“He’s come through his last run well, so we are expecting a good run from him," says Dalgety of Franco Sinatra. 

Earlier in the programme in Race 4, the Liquorland Racecourse Road ‘Silk Road’ Mobile Pace (12.51pm), over 1700m, Carter and Cherish Me ($2.00FF) will be shooting for a hat-trick. The filly out of superstar Adore Me is rated as Dalgety’s best of the day. 

“She raced really well last week. She’s fulfilling her blueprint bloodline. I expect her to be hard to beat.”

The Queens Gambit ($15.00FF), with Jonny Cox, also takes her place in the event. 

“She’ll race well, but our other one might be a bit too good for her.” 

Other chances include Seeking Clarity ($3.50FF) for the in-form trainer/driver Matthew Williamson. 

The Dalgety barn also line up two other runners on the day, both favourites in their events. 

La Concha ($3.30FF) in Race 2, the Stewart And Holland Mobile Pace (11.45am), over 1700m, and Lasa ($3.60FF) in the final event, the G & R Partnership Mobile Pace (4.29pm), over 1700m, with both runners looking strong chances, and both will be driven by Carter. 

Race one gets underway at 11.20am.

Note: The FF (Fixed Field) odds can fluctuate, so check at tab.co.nz for the latest information.