Krug gets great draw for Chariots Of Fire

By Adam Hamilton

Glamour Kiwi pacer Krug is drawn for revenge.

And it’s just the boost trainer Cran Dalgety needed heading into Australasia’s biggest four-year-old race.

Krug will start from gate three in Saturday night’s $200,000 Group 1 Chariots Of Fire (1609m) at Menangle, while two of his biggest dangers – Bondi Lockdown (gate 11) and Rock N Roll Doo (12) – will start from the outside two barriers.

“It’s a big bonus, that’s for sure,” Dalgety said. “We needed a bit to go our way after last week.”

Krug suffered a surprise defeat as an odds-on favourite when he led and was out-toughed by emerging Victorian pacer Rock N Roll Doo in last Saturday night’s Group 2 Paleface Adios (1609m) at Menangle.

Dalgety had extensive talks yesterday (Monday) with his son, Carter, who is looking after Krug in Sydney, and driver Jack Trainor.

The talks centred on whether to make a gear change or not ahead of Saturday night.

“We thought he switched-on and off a bit with the blinds on the other night, but we’ve decided to leave things as is,” Dalgety said.

“We’re going to change his training around a bit this week instead, focus on more sprinting work.”

While Krug drew well, he has talented local Titian Raider, who has plenty of gate speed, drawn inside him in gate two.

The barrier draw has added intrigue to an already fascinating and open Chariots Of Fire.

The wide draws certainly hurt Bondi Lockdown and Rock N Roll Doo, but it’s worth remembering Expensive Ego came from the second outside draw to win last year’s Chariots.

And Rock N Roll Doo came from the outside draw to win last week.

Horses like Matty Craven’s Bettor Call Me (gate four) and Jess Tubbs’ Better Eclipse (one) come right into play now from their lovely draws.

Bondi Lockdown, who has recent history on his side, remains $2.80 favourite despite the wide draw.

He’s aiming to become the fifth pacer in the past six years to win the 4YO Bonanza/Chariots Of Fire double.

Krug is $3.60 second-elect from Bettor Call Me ($5.50), Rock N Roll Doo ($6.50), Titian Raider ($9) and Better Eclipse ($10).