Founders Cup sets stage for Northern Harness Carnival

Alexandra Park awakes from its summer slumber tonight to set up northern harness racing’s two biggest months of the season.

But with the meeting the first step down a long and steep path for many it provides punters with challenges trying to balance the sheer class of some against the race fitness of others.

The $40,000 Lincoln Farms Founders Cup (7.56pm) is the best example of that as well as the night’s best race.

It sees Republican Party return to the track where he has won two Auckland Cups and just about everything else that matters in the last 15 months, but facing barrier 7 over 1700m with a ton of speed inside him.

“I almost didn’t put him in this race,” admits co-trainer Cran Dalgety.

“I almost trialed him on Tuesday to get him fitter and went to next Friday. 

“Don’t get me wrong, he is fit enough to win, but I don’t think he is fit enough to be driven hard and win so I’d like to see him tucked in and get one run at them.”

The best version of Republican Party wins tonight’s race at least five times out of 10 and if he is eased early but then still finds himself dragged into the one-one later he will probably win it tonight.

Aiding his cause is the fact his big gun rivals Akuta (barrier 6) and Merlin (8) are in the same boat and all three could be driven conservatively early and sting punters.

Making their cause even more difficult is the gate speed of rivals like The Lazarus Effect (1), Rubira (3) and Sooner The Bettor (4), the latter one of the fastest beginners in the country.

Trainer Barry Purdon has both Merlin and Sooner The Bettor entered and says he’d like to see junior driver Harrison Orange head forward on Sooner The Bettor and wouldn’t be unhappy to see him stay in front.

Over 1700m with the millionaire pacers likely to be driven cold, that makes Sooner The Bettor at least the best value bet at around $7 if not the best winning chance.

While the Founders Cup contains many of our elite pacers, it has plenty of competition for what might ultimately prove the night’s highlight.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand