Starts crucial to chances in Kaikoura features

By Michael Guerin

Trainer Cran Dalgety says Republican Party staying in front of Captains Mistress is crucial to his chances in Monday's Bulldog Hanover Kaikoura Cup (3.24pm).

And he wouldn’t mind if the rest of the field also settled in front of her too to make life that little bit more difficult for the reigning Inter Dominion champion.

The now Australian-based Captains Mistress adds enormous class and interest to the 2400m event but she also arrives in Kaikoura without any standing start race day experience.

That makes her $1.28 price a risk as she starts from the outside of the front line, with plenty of possible distractions, and even if she is a length or two slow she risks settling at the rear of the small but select field.

So stunning has Captains Mistress been in 2026 she could still probably come from last to win, and there is of course no reason she won’t make a flyer, lead and bolt in.

But Dalgety is hoping her standing start inexperience at least has her thinking at the start so his stable star Republican Party can be master of his own destiny in front of her.

“Our fella is fit and ready to go,” says Dalgety.

“Like every trainer in the race we’d love to be out fast and against the marker pegs and I think if he can do that he will have a big chance.

“But yes, staying on front of Captains Mistress will be the first job.”

Republican Party has had little go right this campaign but he is still one of our very best pacers and The Cup looks a perfect opportunity to get some confidence back before the Go Media New Zealand Cup.

Like so many races at Kaikoura on Monday and in its long, storied history the start of the Cup will be crucial.

As it will for the Dalgety rep Tetrick in the White Morph Motel South Bay Trotters Cup 3.57pm), a race which is far more suitable for him than it may have looked a few weeks ago.

Most of the big name square-gaiters that will dominate NZ Cup week are missing from the 2400m stand but it does see the addition of Victorian mare Rockinwithattitude.

She faces a 15m handicap and while undoubtedly the best performed trotter in the race she is going to be asked to do a few things that may put her out of her comfort zone.

All Dalgety wants Tetrick to do is step cleanly and give driver Carter, his son, the option to press for the front.

“I’d love to see him in front against the markers and rolling and I think if he can do that he has a real chance,” says Cran.

Nellie Doyle’s manners and courage has seen her excel in her last two starts and she looks one of the best suited by race conditions. 

Dalgety suggests punters follow On Ya Bike (No.6) in Race 1 while he thinks Marble Arch (R10, No.7) finds himself in the right race in the last.

Team Telfer hold the aces in the NZB Yearling Sales Series Aged Classic but both their favourite Tact Teva (20m) and Iron Brigade (10m) have to start off handicaps.

Tact Teva is a brute at his best, the best horse in the race and a future Cups contender but he is still maturing mentally so wouldn’t want to get stuck three wide on too many bends around South Bay.

Meanwhile John Morrison was the star on the first day of the meeting on Sunday.

The Ashburton trainer-driver had three wins on the eight race card with Amistozo and Don's Delight who he trains himself, and Lilac Luxury for trainer Dean Taylor. 

Amistozo, the shortest favourite of the day, cleared out by over four lengths while Dons Delight was a convincing maiden winner in his third career start. 

Morrison has two more drives on Kaikoura Cup day on Monday, both in supporting races, with Silent Witness (Race 2) and Heaven's Mark (Race 10).