Krug, the great and powerful

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Krug was back to his brilliant best at Alexandra Park on Friday night when taking out the inaugural Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Colt & Gelding Final Mobile Pace (2200m).

The talented three-year-old tasted defeat at the hands of American Dealer last week, but he made sure he was not to be outdone in the Harness Million.

Utilising his ace draw, Krug took an early trail behind second favourite It’s All About Faith.

The son of Bettor’s Delight got a perfect trip throughout and was able to take advantage of the passing lane to run away to an easy 3-3/4 length victory over It’s All About Faith, with a further 1-1/2 lengths back to BD Joe in third.

“It was a good run, he did what he had to do,” said Nathan Purdon, who trains the colt in partnership with Chrissie Dalgety.

“He came out of last week’s race really well and he seemed really bright going into this race.”

Krug was purchased out of Smolenski Stables’ 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Standardbred National Yearling Sale for $155,000 by Cran Dalgety’s Kentuckiana Lodge and Purdon said the stable is delighted to have taken out the inaugural running of the Harness Million.

“It’s what we’re in the game for,” he said. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”

The talented three-year-old has continued to impress Purdon who is looking forward to getting him back to Canterbury in preparation for his Cup Day assignment.

“He doesn’t have any kinks in his armour, which is the best part about him, he has got the all round game,” Purdon said.

“He relaxes through the trip and you can use him in any part. He is very versatile.

“He travels home on Sunday, so will get there Monday, and he will have the rest of the week off. We will then build him up to the Sires Stakes Final on Cup Day.”

Meanwhile, Kentuckiana Lodge’s fellow northern raiders Im A Gigolo and Fabrizio ended their campaigns in disappointing fashion, finishing unplaced in the Majestic Horse Floats Mobile Pace (2200m).

“They have been a bit disappointing,” Purdon said.

“Fabrizio just hasn’t handled this way around, so he can just go home and have a freshen-up and go from there.

“We will look at something on Cup Day or Show Day and we will see where he fits in there.

“Im A Gigolo is going to go to America now. That was his last race. He will go to his owner, Ron Burke.”

 

 

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