The race to The Race starts at Menangle on Saturday night for Kentuckiana Lodge star Krug.

Just days after the four-year-old was selected to take the Aussie Lads’ slot in New Zealand’s first ever slot race, Krug will start in a minor event on Miracle Mile night for trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety. 

Krug reunites with Chrissie’s brother Anthony Butt who is unbeaten behind the star four-year-old with the pair having won the Redcliffe Derby last year.

“For a man that has won everything there is to win in this game he is not lacking any enthusiasm to drive the horse," Cran said. 

“They got on super last year, so I have no doubt the horse is in very capable hands.”

Jack Trainor who has been driving Krug in Australia has his own horse in Krug’s race on Saturday night.

Saturday night's race will play an important part in the pacer’s preparation for his rich target at Cambridge next month.

Cran is expecting a bold performance and summed up the race in a matter of fact fashion.

“If we are good enough to be going to The Race, we are going to need to be winning this race or going very close.”

“It has been very wet over here as everyone knows but we have managed to get through the week very well.”

“Physically I couldn’t be any happier with the horse.”

“He has come through the Chariots very well, especially considering it was a hard run, with the sectionals he ran early.”

“Probably the most pleasing aspect is that he had a busy month, racing the best horses in fast times but he has handled it very well.”

“That is the sign of him maturing, not all three-year-olds can make the step out of the age groups but he is showing us it is not going to be a problem for him.”

Racing on Saturday night will keep Krug’s fitness levels up before he is freshened after flying back to New Zealand.

“He will race on Saturday then fly back to Auckland.”

“The timing of this race is ideal, we don’t want to be off the scene too long before The Race because he is going to need to be right up to the mark with the field they are going to have.”

Krug starts in race 2 at Menangle, which starts at 8.50pm NZ time.