by Jonny Turner
Cran Dalgety has warned Krug may be an even bigger force for his Omakau rivals to contend with than he was in his epic win in the Group One Invercargill Cup.
Dalgety and wife and training partner Chrissie will send Krug over the Otago-Canterbury border for the second time to start as the red-hot favourite in the Group Three Central Otago Cup.
Krug produced a dazzling display in Southland’s inaugural Group One race at Ascot Park last month and according to Dalgety he hasn’t missed a beat since.
“The condition he is in – he could even be a touch better in his well-being than he was when he won at Invercargill.”
“I just hope that he races accordingly.”
Krug showed glimpses of his rare ability through the spring, but overall his form didn’t reflect his ability.
A short break after the New Zealand Cup Carnival has quickly turned that around.
“He had a lung complaint early in the spring which became apparent after he raced in the Hannon,” Dalgety said.
“That put us on the back foot, which is not ideal when you are racing the best of the best.”
“After Cup Week he had a nice freshen up and he seems to have really put that behind him now.”
“You don’t like to make excuses but that is the way things played out.”
“But his health is as good as it could be and with that, his confidence is much better.”
“He is a confidence horse and when he is in the zone it is a beautiful sight to behold.”
The Dalgety camp hopes today’s race can further propel Krug up towards the very top of New Zealand’s open-class ranks.
That would put him right in contention in races like the Auckland Cup, Messenger Championship and The Race.
“He won a couple of derbies and then he got to free-for-all company and it was a bit of a shock.
“We always thought he would measure up, but now he has proven it.”
“It certainly opens up a lot of options going forward, especially with so many good races coming up in the North Island.”
The Dalgety stable starts both Invitation Only and Casino Action in race 7.
The pair have been handed contrasting draws with Invitation Only on the outside of the front line and Casino Action the only runner on the second row of the mobile.
Invitation Only gets into race 7 better off than his stablemate handicap-wise and Dalgety is expecting the four-year-old to race well.
“We threw him in against the sharks and he found Akuta and Republican Party too good for him.”
“Back into his class, he is really showing his worth.”
“He has continued to get better too and I am predicting he will race super.”
Pink Panther Pounce also looks a strong winning threat for the Dalgety camp after only going down narrowly in his last start at Addington.
“She just sort of ran around and cost herself a little bit at Addington, but that experience should be an extra bonus this time.”
“Hopefully she can show her worth as well.”
Carter Dalgety drives Pink Panther Pounce, Krug and Invitation Only today with Blair Orange to combine with Casino Action.
