Cran Dalgety’s biggest job in the next two weeks may not be having Krug primed for the A$250,000 The Rising Sun following the star colt’s record-breaking win in the Redcliffe Derby.
Krug made it derby win number three in his typically stunning fashion, racing three-wide and parked for the entire race before taking a massive 2.5sec off the 2040m track record at the triangle track.
The scintillating win might have seemed pretty straightforward on the surface – Krug was simply better than his rivals.
But going into the race Cran had the challenge of presenting Krug in top shape while juggling having him in a new climate, new surrounds and working on an entirely different track to the one he is used to at Kentuckiana Lodge.
“I was rapt with him and it was a big thrill to see him race like that considering he is well out of his normal comfort zone," Cran said.
“He has settled in beautifully over here but we have thrown a lot of new things at him and it is not until you get to the races that you see how everything will impact the performance.”
“He has been working on sand on a 600m track, which is much different to our track at home.”
“Even down to the daily routine, the feed and everything else, it is all a bit new but he has taken it all in his stride.”
“We are at a great place at Ian Gurney’s property and the team here have been marvellous.”
“To see it all come together tonight was very satisfying.”
Krug wasn’t at the Redcliffe Derby for any kind of pipe-opener, his track record-breaking win showed he is rock-hard fit.
So getting Krug ready for The Rising Sun might not be Cran’s biggest challenge in the next two weeks.
Because the three-year-old is guaranteed to draw barrier 1 and 2 in the highly anticipated feature, containing his own excitement could be Cran’s biggest job as the race approaches.
“It is pretty exciting that we can look forward to the race knowing we are going to draw 1 or 2.”
“In any other race we could come all this way and draw 13 and have Expensive Ego in 1.”
“We will keep him ticking over and having him as ready as we can.”
“He has got to step up again and we have got healthy respect for the opposition, but we are rapt to be in it.”
Anthony Butt made it one from one behind Krug at Redcliffe with a smart drive which kept Krug out of any unnecessary battles.
Butt will drive Copy That in The Rising Sun with Blair Orange to reunite with Krug.
“I think Ants just got a box seat view of how hard it will be to beat Krug in The Rising Sun,” Cran said.
In what must be a first, none of Krug’s owners were able to make it to Redcliffe.
The star colt is set to have plenty of supporters on hand at Albion Park for The Rising Sun.
- By Jonny Turner
