Harness racing fans will get something of a bonus at Addington on Friday night when Kentuckiana Lodge pacer Krug backs up from his devastating Invercargill Cup win.
The Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained entire fired back to his absolute best form with a scintillating display in front of a packed house at Ascot Park weekend, producing a memorable victory in Southland’s first-ever Group One race.
Six days after second-rating top-class opposition over 3200m, Krug will head back to work at Addington in a much less glamourous 1980m free-for-all.
Predictably, the horse simply would not have been entered if the Dalgety stable didn’t think he was ready to produce a similar performance.
“It has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride through the spring and summer but we felt we really had him in a good place pre-Invercargill,” Cran said.
“He obviously raced super and he pulled up super.”
“After we got him home he was bouncing around his paddock and he seems to have taken no ill effects from the race or the travel
“At this stage there isn’t a lot for him in the immediate future, if we had set plans it may have been a different story.”
“But with the horse fit and well, we are more than happy to roll the dice on our back doorstep.”
The Dalgety stable also start Invitation Only in race 9 on the back of a victory at Addington last week.
“It was nice to see him back in form last week, he raced the good three-year-olds early on and lately he hasn’t had much luck in his own grade.”
“The standing start is something new for him, he is a pretty sensible type so hopefully he can get away.”
“If he can get away nice, he will be right there, but he can’t afford to take a backwards step.”
Pink Panther Pounce is also among the Dalgety squad headed to Addington.
The filly steps out on grit in race 2 after a luckless run on a rain-affected track at Rangiora last weekend.
“She trialled up nice on the all-weather before her debut and she is probably more suited to it.”
“It all turned to custard a little bit last week with the wet track and being snookered on the home turn.”
“If she can get a go at them this week, they will know she is there.”
Carter Dalgety combines with Pink Panther Pounce, while also reuniting with Krug.
Sarah O’Reilly drives Invitation Only.
