Republican Party’s (Bettor’s Delight) Victorian plans are set.

The dual Auckland and Invercargill Cup winner will head across the ditch for two races, the $150,000 Group 1 Kilmore Cup on February 7 and the $250,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup a week later.

The last time he was in Victoria, Republican Party ran a slashing and luckless third – beaten just over a metre – by Swayzee and Leap To Fame in last year’s Hunter Cup.

The performance became a springboard for a breakthrough season in 2025.

Republican Party raced 18 times last year for nine wins, two seconds, two thirds and put beyond any doubt he was the standout Kiwi pacer.

“We’ve been tossing around options and even considered going over earlier for the Ballarat Cup, but the travel works best to just wait and go for Kilmore and the Hunter Cup,” co-trainer Cran Dalgety said.

Republican Party will bring an exciting missing piece for Victoria’s revamped Summer Carnival … serious Kiwi quality.

It is mouthwatering to think Republican Party will clash with Kingman, Leap To Fame, Swayzee and others in the Hunter Cup,

Depending on plans, Republican Party could meet at least two of the big guns at Kilmore.

Kingman and Leap To Fame are poised to meet again at Ballarat next Saturday night after Kingman beat the Queensland champion for the third time in as many meetings at Shepparton last night.

Connections will then decide plans around the Cranbourne and Kilmore Cups.

Dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee, who won easily at Menangle last night, is likely to wait and launch his Victorian raid in the Cranbourne Cup.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing New Zealand