Krug (NZ) Speeds to Emphatic Junior Free-For-All Win

NZB Standardbred graduate Krug (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) reminded harness racing fans of his immense class with a brilliant victory in the $30,000 Group Three Dunstan Horsefeeds Junior Free-For-All (2600m) at Addington on New Zealand Cup Day. 

Switching back to a mobile start allowed the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained pacer to use his searing speed at both ends of his commanding win for driver Blair Orange.

The Group Three win is the latest in a string of blacktype victories the two-time Derby winner has added to his resume following his purchase at the 2019 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

The classy colt was knocked down to the Dalgetys’ under their Kentuckiana Lodge banner for $155,000, securing him from Smolenski Stables.

Cran Dalgety was thrilled to see Krug show his best on New Zealand’s biggest day of harness racing.

“It was a great result and very satisfying,” Dalgety said.

“He couldn’t show his best from the standing starts in his last two, but we were still confident physically he was very well within himself.

“To come out today and run a good time and run home in very fast sectionals is a relief.”

Proof of Krug’s speed was evident in his brilliant 54.1 seconds closing 800 metres.

The Dalgety stable will now consider a start in the $200,000 Group One Mediaworks New Zealand Free-For-All (2000m) at Addington on Friday.

“We would love to be there,” Dalgety said.

“We will monitor how he comes through today’s run, but at this stage we have every intention of lining up.
“I would like to think he is well up to competing with the good ones at that level and today’s performance has given us a bit more confidence.”

There were just two three-year-olds in the Group Three Junior Free-For-All.

Both were NZB Standardbred graduates and both enjoyed podium finishes.

Shan Noble (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) powered down the outer from well back in the field to run third for trainer-driver Mark Purdon.

Shan Noble was a $76,000 purchase by the All Stars Stable from Spreydon Lodge’s draft at the 2019 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

NZB Standardbred graduates dominated the early races on the New Zealand Cup Day card, after Smart Watch (NZ) (He’s Watching) impressively took out Race 2, the $25,000 Hydroflow Cup Day Maiden Pace (1980m), in just his second career start.

The colt was a $38,000 purchase from the Broadfield Lodge draft at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

Owners Mark and Dennis Dunford and the All Stars Stable notched a winning double on New Zealand Cup Day, both with NZB Standardbred graduates.

Always Have Faith (NZ) (Captaintreacherous), who took out Race 4 in the $25,000 Mico Plumbing & Bathrooms Pace (1980m), was a $55,000 purchase from Tardina Stud at the 2020 Auckland National Yearling Sale.

Group One winner It’s All About Faith (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) showed his class with a powerful win in Race 6, the Garrards Horse & Hound Pace (1980m).

The colt was a $130,000 purchase from Breckon Farms at the 2019 Auckland National Yearling Sale.  

Consignor	Smolenski Stables
Purchaser	Kentuckiana Lodge
Breeding	Bettor’s Delight x Champagne Princess
Sale	2019 Christchurch National Yearling Sale, $155,000
Bred by	Est J W Smolenski