Krug Stars in Incredible Northern Derby Performance

8 March 2021

Krug (NZ) dominates the $192,000 Group One Woodlands Stud Northern Derby (2700m).

Simply stunning is the only way to describe the winning display Krug (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) produced in the $192,000 Group One Woodlands Stud Northern Derby (2700m) at Alexandra Park on Friday 5 March. 

 

The NZB Standardbred graduate turned the first classic race of the season for New Zealand’s three-year-old colts and geldings into the most spectacular of one-act affairs when leading a star-studded field by 15 lengths leading into the final lap.

 

The Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained colt would go on to eventually be eased down at the finish by driver Tony Herlihy, who added a second Group One title to Krug’s glittering resume.

 

Krug was purchased by Kentuckiana Lodge for $155,000 from the Smolenski Stables draft at the 2019 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

 

Cran Dalgety watched on like any other harness racing fan in the middle stages, firstly surprised Krug had run to such a lead and secondly, hopeful the horse would run out the Derby distance powerfully.

 

But the trainer did not have the same concerns at the 800 metre mark after doing some quick calculations.

 

“At the 800 metre mark I thought he was about 3 seconds in front of the field and I thought he could probably run home in about 31 seconds and still win it,” Dalgety said.

 

“He ran three back-to-back quarters in 28 seconds and if it was any other horse I would be expecting them to knock up, but this guy is an exceptional animal and we had a master in the sulky.

 

“Again, if it was anyone else driving him I might have been a lot more concerned.

 

“But it was Tony Herlihy and even though the race wasn’t quite going to plan, I knew he would have things under control,” he said.

 

Krug’s spectacular win was made more satisfying by the extra efforts that Kentuckiana Lodge went to in order to prepare their pacer for his first Derby tilt.

 

Dalgety flew back and forth between his home base in Canterbury and Auckland, with his latter trips complicated by the country’s COVID-19 Alert Levels changing.

 

The trainer was in a rare position in that he was pleased to be in Auckland for the latest lockdown as it meant he was there to oversee the final stages of Krug’s Northern Derby preparation.

 

“It was a big thrill,” Dalgety said.

 

“It has been about seven weeks since we first came up here and we have had our challenges.”

 

“I think I have flown up and back six times.

 

“But it’s an easy trip to make when you are training a quality horse like this for a Group One race.

 

“To pull it off is very satisfying.”

 

February and early March have been a busy time for Kentuckiana Lodge with the Dalgetys securing eight yearlings at NZB Standardbred’s 2021 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

 

Krug headed home a trifecta of NZB Standardbred graduates, who dominated Friday night’s Group One feature.

 

Luke John (NZ) (Mach Three) charged into second placing, three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner, for trainers Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson and driver Brent Mangos.

 

American Dealer (NZ) (American Ideal) produced another strong performance in a Group One event with his third placing for trainer Ray Green and driver James Stormont.

 

NZB Standardbred graduates filled the first five placings in Friday night’s classic with Hot And Treacherous (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) running fourth and Raven Banner (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) finishing fifth.

 

Nine of the ten runners in the Group One Northern Derby are graduates of NZB Standardbred’s National Yearling Sale.

 

Vendor

Smolenski Stables

Purchaser

Kentuckiana Lodge

Breeding

Bettor’s Delight – Champagne Princess

Sale

2019 National Yearling Sale, Christchurch, Lot 381, $155,000

Bred By

Est J W Smolenski