Group One Party Continues For Kentuckiana Lodge

The party has continued in the Group One Breckon Farms Cardigan Bay Stakes (1700m) for Kentuckiana Lodge, with the Canterbury stable going back-to-back in the Alexandra Park feature last Friday with Tour Party (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).

Trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety won last year’s running with Fugitive (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) and they were heavily favoured to defend their crown with their exciting juvenile Tour Party, a full-brother to their multiple Group One winner Republican Party (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).

The son of Bettor’s Delight had won his previous two starts and was backed into a $1.20 favourite by punters, and he won accordingly, distancing his rivals to score by 5-½ lengths.

“For a two-year-old he is so professional,” said driver Carter Dalgety. “You can just sit wide, he has got a good gait and everything you would want in a young horse.”

Dalgety has formed a formidable partnership with his older brother, Republican Party, and he said Tour Party has a lot of similarities to the star pacer.

“He is a lot like his brother,” he said. “I don’t like to compare them because one has won six Group Ones and this guy is just starting his career. 

“He is amazing this horse. We only bought him 12 months ago and his progression has just been steady. 

“He has always been nice but this trip has really made him, he still ducks around a little bit but to put in a performance like that in his third start, he is a bit different.”

Tour Party was bred by Katrina and John Price and he was offered through Price Bloodstock’s 2025 National Yearling Sale draft at Christchurch where he was purchased by Kentuckian Lodge for $150,000.

He remains unbeaten in his three starts to date and he has earned more than $73,000 in prizemoney.