Republican Party wins fourth Group 1 in six months

By Michael Guerin

History and the future met in perfect synergy when Republican Party won the $100,000 Roy Purdon Memorial at Alexandra Park on Friday.

On face value it was simple stuff as the wonderful pacer made it four Group 1 wins in six months when he rolled to the front effortlessly at the 1600m mark and never looked like being headed. 

It capped a career-best night for young driver Carter Dalgety who drove two Group 1 winners after Fugitive won the $90,000 Breckon Farms Young Guns Final earlier in the night, both trained by his parents Cran and Chrissie.

Both wins saw Carter, who turns 22 next Saturday, not scared to go forward and let his horse travel, a nod to his time in the United States last year.

“That was the biggest thing I learned up there, they rate the horseman most on how they can get the them travelling,” says Dalgety.

“So I have been trying to make that a huge part of my driving since I got home. Get them traveling and feeling good and put them in a position to do a job.”

It worked with both on Friday night and in Republican Party’s case the modern tactics enabled Dalgety to make a nod to the past.

“It means a lot to me and our family with this race being named after Mr Purdon,” says Dalgety.

“My grandfather Jim was close friends with Roy and of course Dad worked for Roy and Barry and he says they taught him so much of what he knows.

“So to win the race named in his honour with a horse that we love so much is really special.”

Sooner The Bettor was a fighting second while the hard luck story of the race was We Walk By Faith, who was never really clear in third and had to go close to winning with a clear run.

While it would be a surprise to see Republican Party go to Queensland to take on Leap To Fame and Don Hugo in the Interdoms, there is a chance Fugitive could head there for the Ladbrokes Protostar after he made it three wins from four starts on Friday.

He looks a total little pro but went to a new level after having to sit parked and hold off the late charge of Allamericanplayer in a 1:55.8 mile rate for the 1700m, adding to a great week for his sire Downbytheseaside.

“That was easily his best win and there are a few people asking about a spot in the Protostar,” says Dalgety of the A$500,000 slot race at Albion Park on July 12.

“He is owned by Brendan James, who owns Rock N Roll Doo and obviously he lives in Australia, so he might be keen to see him over there,” says Dalgety.

As for the biggest night of his career, Dalgety was buzzing.

“It is amazing to win two Group 1s, both for Mum and Dad, and with two horses who try so hard.

“What Republican Party has done this season and at the back end of last season is so huge and he has never let us down.”

Other pacing highlights included an effortless win from General Jen against older horses to ready her for next Friday’s $200,000 Sires’ Stakes Final while Cool For Cats won a busy Delightful Lady Stakes on a great night for Team Dunn.

She is owned by some huge Canterbury syndicates and picked the perfect Group 2 race to leave her maiden in, grabbing Victorian filly Ripples right on the line.