Dalgetys looking for Group race glory at Ashburton

By Mike Love 

West Melton trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety will be looking for Group race success at Sunday's feature Ashburton meeting. 

The Dalgety team line up three runners at the meeting, consisting of The Queen’s Gambit in the Helen Pope 2YO Fillies Classic Group Three for $40,000, while Fragile and Freeze Frame line up in the $60,000 Group 2 Rakaia Seed Cleaning NZ Sapling Stakes.

The Queen’s Gambit ($3.40FF) appeared to run slightly disappointingly in her first look back on South Island soil at Addington two weeks ago after a successful Auckland sojourn, but driver Carter Dalgety is happy the filly has come on since then. 

“She missed a bit of work, she blew out a bit the last 100m. But I’m very very happy with her. She’s been the biggest improver, she’s got a good draw and is fast off the gate, so if I can find the front I’d be a very happy man,” said Dalgety. 

Drawn three, the Captain Crunch filly will need to work slightly harder than race favourite Treacherous Me ($2.60FF) for trainer driver Nathan WIlliamson who has drawn the pole over the 1700m.

“She’s (Treacherous Me) a nice filly and looks the one to beat, and the one of Jonny’s (Always By Night) trialled very good.” 

Other chances in the event include southerner Havtimetodream ($16.00FF) for trainer driver Peter Hunter who showed brilliant gate speed and stamina on debut at Winton and may be one to spice up trifectas and first fours, while fellow southerner Ideal Crown ($6.50FF) for trainer Chelsea Faithful is proving to be a handy type, but has the outside of the gate to deal with. 

The Group 3 event runs as race five on the card, at 1:06pm.

Moving on to race nine the time honoured Group 2 Rakaia Seed Cleaning NZ Sapling Stakes for $60,000 over 1700m, and the field suggests a match race between the Dalgety trained Fugitive ($1.55FF) and the in-form Steve and Amanda Telfer representative Allamericanplayer ($3.40FF). 

Fugitive had been dominant until the Welcome Stakes at Addington when Allamericanplayer out-toughed the red hot favourite - however this time Fugitive looks set to likely lead, with Allamericanplayer needing to do the work this time. 

“I was very proud of him last start. I thought he went as good as he possibly could. The winner (Allamericanplayer) is a top animal.

“He’s come through it super. He’s a great doing little bugger.”

“We’ve probably mapped to get the front, I’d say it’ll probably be those two fighting it out again.”

Freeze Frame ($12.00FF) will also represent the Dalgety barn in the event with driver Blair Orange in the cart.

“He’s a beautiful horse that tries so hard. He’s not the most natural horse, he’s just been doing it all off ability. So he’s probably going for a break after Sunday and will come back really nice. Hopefully he will run in the money again.”

The Sapling Stakes gets underway at 3:20pm.

Dalgety will take the reins behind Partners In Wine ($5.50FF) in Race 7, the Graeme Sparks Memorial Junior Drivers Mobile pace over 1700m. 

“Last start in her first start out of maidens she hit the line really good. It’s the perfect draw for her.

“If we can a trail behind the favourites, she should be running on as a good place chance.”

Other features on the programme include Race 8, (2.50pm) the $30,000 Rural Business Accountants 3YO Championship Stakes over 1700m. A field of 10 will run to the judge in a very open race. Anything from barrier four down to the bottom of the book has claims as a genuine hope. 

Race one gets underway at 11.20am.

To see the Ashburton fields click here