Granddad would have been proud of that, undoubtedly.
Carter Dalgety put on a driving masterclass in the inaugural running of the Jim Dalgety Handicap at Addington on Friday night with an incredible steer to guide Krug back into his best form.
Carter got the Kentuckiana Lodge star away well from the starting tapes before brilliantly manoeuvring the star Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained four-year-old into a one-one sit from his 40m handicap.
And he did it all without making a mid-race move.
If Carter was good, then Krug was just as outstanding with the pacer capitalising on his nice trip by powering away to an emphatic victory.
Of course, winning the Jim Dalgety Handicap was always going to be a special moment for the Dalgety family.
But to do it in such a brilliant display from both horse and driver made it an even bigger thrill for Cran and Chrissie.
“It was really special,” Cran said.
“Naturally we wanted to take Dad’s trophy home and to do that was great.”
“But for Carter to step up and drive him like he did made it extra special.”
“His first drive on the horse didn’t go to plan, through no fault of his own.”
“But there was a bit of pressure there with this being very important to our plans going forward.”
“He did us proud, that’s for sure.”
How much the wining meant Krug’s New Zealand Cup Campaign was the biggest factor in Friday night’s victory.
The Kentuckiana Lodge team and the horse’s owners have had a frustrating spring, firstly with Krug coming home unwell from his trip to Oamaru for the Hannon Memorial.
Then last week at Addington the Group One winner jumped a stray turd left on the track, causing him to gallop out of the Canterbury Classic.
Cran admitted it was a huge relief nothing went wrong this week and Krug was able to show how much he has been absolutely thriving.
“It is a relief more than anything.”
“We have had our share of dramas behind the scenes.”
“But the last fortnight the horse has been exceptionally well in himself.”
“They can work the house down all they like, what they do at the races is what counts.”
“Last week when he galloped it was no fault of his own, really.”
“We made a wee gear change and for everything to go perfectly tonight and for him to race to his true ability is very satisfying.”
The Dalgety team will now prepare Krug for the New Zealand Cup Trial.
“The Kaikoura Cup was in the back of our minds, but on that performance and how he is physically, the Cup Trial is where we are most likely to head.”
“His initial recovery after the race was great, but we will keep assessing him over the weekend and make a final call.”
“He hasn’t had hard runs but he has a very good base of fitness, so that will be the main factor in assessing what we do.”
“Most likely it will be the Cup Trial before we iron the shirts and ties and head to Cup Day.”
If Krug’s win is anything to go by, the Kentuckiana Lodge team are in for an epic Labour Weekend.
The Dalgetys have four starters at the big Ashburton meeting on Monday.
