Party Mode Out To Emulate Sister In Country Classic

NORTHERN Rivers star Party Mode has been in Dubbo for the past week preparing for his tilt at the rich Country Classic on Saturday night in a bid to emulate his litter sister Bella Una, the winner of the race in 2024.

Party Mode (Feral Franky-Khatanga Eve) won his spot in the Classic semi-finals (605m) in a ballot from the washed out The Richmond final at Casino last week.

Craig Gardoll and his dad Reg sent the dog to Dubbo with Dennis Barnes last week to prepare for this week's semis.

He has drawn box six in the second semi-final and comes up against some "hot" opposition.

FIELDS AND FORM DUBBO SATURDAY

The winner of 14 of his 47 starts and $102,000 in stakes after wins in the G3 Casino Cup and a second in the G2 Queensland Derby, Party Mode was bought from the Barnes kennel after education.

"He was brought up at Dubbo," said Reg Gardoll today.

"But, he's had a slip there in preparation for the semis.

"He's no superstar, but he's won over $100,000 and I am always one who believes if you qualify for a race, then you have to go.

"If he makes the final, I'll head down for the race. But, I have to go to get him to come back home anyway."

Bella Una won the Country Classic final in 2024 for Jack Smith and owner Michael Sheather beating Palawa King and Might Have Been.

"It would be something special for him to follow his sister," Gardoll added.

"But it is such a quality line-up. He might be a bit out of his depth."

Party Mode ran a slick 35.32 to win a heat of The Richmond at Casino leading throughout on February 27 to make that later abandoned final.

Last year's winner Bella Una has a litter of eight pups to the great Fernando Bale, whelped in mid-January.