Tour Party to rest

After a stunning first part of the season, unbeaten two year old Tour Party (Bettor’s Delight) who impressed again when winning at Addington last night, is to have a spell.

“He’s going to have a few weeks off now. We’ve had him quite tight for three and half months so we just have to loosen the spring off a wee bit. There’s some more prestigious stuff at the end of the season. We’ll give him some fresh air now and put another twelve to fifteen kilograms on him,” said co-trainer Cran Dalgety who trains in partnership with wife Chrissie.

When the mobile pulled away, driver Carter Dalgety let the colt scroll to the top and he went down to the line to win by four lengths from first starter Travel Agent.

TOUR PARTY REPLAY

The winning time was a smart 2-24.9 with the last half cut out in 55.8 and last quarter in 26.5.

“He’s quite deceiving how quick he goes without working hard. A 55 half and 26 quarter and he didn’t look as though he was doing that. The good thing about him is that he can go fast without working hard.”

His four wins have earned his connections $87,450 and he’s well on his way to recovering his $150,000 purchase price.

He was bred by Winton couple John and Katrina Price who are part of the Southern Bred Southern Reared group. It was a good night for the SBSR brand with Seaside Brucie bred by Dave Kennedy and Taketheplunge bred by John, also winning.

Dalgety says Tour Party is more of a natural two year old than his older brother Republican Party.

“He’s quite advanced on what Republican Party did at the same stage. Republican Party was a nice two and three year old who got really good at four, whereas this fella is well ahead of schedule in natural maturity.”

Tour Party was given three trials before winning on debut at Addington in February. He was then taken north to Auckland for the Young Guns Series.

“We bought him to Auckland knowing he would be competitive because he came to hand quickly. But he’s definitely gone ten to fifteen percent better than I thought he’d go.”

Tour Party will now miss this months $100,000 Group One Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic. However the Dalgetys have Roger That, (Sweet Lou) another smart juvenile who was impressive in winning on debut at Addington in early February, earmarked for the race.

“He’s not far behind Tour Party in talent. He’s above average in size so he’s not a super natural two year old but he’s got a lot of low down stamina about him. He trialled good last week so we hope to bring him down (to Winton) this weekend. Then we’ve got a two week break until the big race.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink