Make no mistake, Kentuckiana Lodge star Krug is primed for a big performance in the The Race at Cambridge on Thursday night.
Trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety couldn’t be happier with their pacer going into the inaugural running of the much-hyped slot race that carries a massive $900,000 purse.
Cran admits he can see why some so-called experts may be questioning where Krug is at given he hasn’t had a lead up race.
But the trainer is certain the horse is ready to silence any doubters that may be out there.
“You can understand why people might wonder exactly where he is at because he hasn't been out and about racing."
“But when you are looking at the animal in front of you and you get the feeling he gives you in his work, there is no doubt he in a very good space.”
“Mentally he was a bit jaded by the time he was finished in Australia, as everyone saw he hit a wheel in one race then in the next he ran a 24second quarter out of the gate.”
“That knocked his confidence and he raced 5% below his best.”
“It was a learning curve for the horse as much as anything, there is no hiding at the elite level in the four-year-old and older grade.”
“When he came back across the ditch we freshened him up and he has bounced back super.”
"Physically, we could not have him any better."
“I made a conscious decision not to race him leading into The Race and I am very comfortable about that now that we are a day out.
“It is a good field with some very good horses, but I have full faith in Krug."
"If he gets the right run they will know he is there.”
Like the connections of every other starter in the event, being a part of The Race is a totally new experience for the Kentuckiana Lodge team and Krug’s owners.
So, far they are loving the ride.
“It was a thrill to get the call up from the slot holders, Dean Shannon and the crew at Ladbrokes.”
“It was only a few days before that Dean and I were bidding on the same yearling at the yearling sales.”
“I was lucky enough to get the nod there, but Dean is having a fantastic run with his half-brother Merlin.”
“Joining forces hopefully we can continue Dean’s run of form in big races.”
“The owners are certainly enjoying the ride so far.”
“There is obviously a lot a hype around the event and it is a privilege to be a part of it.”
Krug steps out in The Race at 8.55pm New Zealand time with Blair Orange to drive from barrier 4.
