By Adam Hamilton
The Kiwis launch their Sydney assault from Saturday night.
High-class pacers B D Joe, Alta Wiseguy and Republican Party all step-out at Menangle on Saturday night.
It’s an important race for Republican Party in the Group 3 Hondo Grattan, a qualifier for the Group 1 Chariots Of Fire on February 18.
“He arrived across last weekend and has settled into Menangle well,” co-trainer Chrissie Dalgety said.
“He’s ready to go and the plan is for Carter (Dalgety) to drive him this week with Blair (Orange) down in Melbourne for the Hunter Cup.”
Importantly, Republican Party is drawn to use his early gate speed from barrier five. He’ll come into four if emergency Blazing Banner (four) doesn’t get a run.
As you would expect, it’s a strong race and will give a good guide to where Republican Party sits with this Aussie crop.
Republican Party’s major rivals include first-up winner Mahomes (gate one), Jason Grimson’s Lightning Dan (two), Queenslander Tims A Trooper (nine), the classy Ripp (10), Victorian raider Hes Charlies Angel (10) and talented local My Ultimate Ronnie (12).
On the same night, prepost Chariots Of Fire favourite Captain Ravishing will return from a break as a hot favourite in the $100,000 4YO Bonanza. Only victory will get him a guaranteed Chariots berth.
The second and last of the Chariots qualifiers, the Paleface Adios, will be run at Menangle on Saturday week.
Earlier in the night at Menangle, the Telfer-Cullen trained pair of B D Joe and Alta Wiseguy open their Sydney campaigns in a 1609m free-for-all.
B D Joe has drawn better in gate four with Alta Wiseguy (nine).
The classy pair get their chance in what is not a strong free-for-all.
Former classy Kiwi pacer Mach Shard will be a major player from the pole, while other favoured starters will be Whereyabinboppin (two), Bundoran (six) and Cash N Flow (11).
