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Krug (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) heads a stellar line harness racing up solely made up of NZB Standardbred graduates that have secured starting spots in the $100,000 Group One 3YO Emerald (1609m) at the Harness Jewels on Sunday 6 June.
The dual Derby-winning star is one of the top 12 qualifiers and confirmed starters in the lucrative feature and incredibly all 12 runners were purchased from NZB Standardbred sales.
Tactics are set to play a vital part in Krug’s Harness Jewels tilt after the classy colt drew barrier 1 on the second row.
Much of his fate could rest with the horse he follows out at the start in NZB Standardbred graduate B D Joe (NZ) (Roll With Joe).
Debate has raged about what tactics each camp could employ since the release of the draws for Sunday’s Group One feature.
Cran Dalgety, who trains Krug in partnership with wife Chrissie, has stayed out of those discussions, preferring to keep his focus on Krug and having him at his peak.
“To be honest the last thing I have been worrying about this week has been what is going to happen at the start,” Dalgety said.
“Sure, it is not the draw we have hoped for but Blair is the man for the job and we can trust him to give the horse every possible hope.
“Sometimes you wish the reins would reach all the way to the grandstand, but not on Sunday.”
After an excellent warm-up performance for second at Alexandra Park last week, Dalgety has been thrilled with Krug leading into the Harness Jewels.
“Physically he is fit and healthy and exactly where we want him.”
“It has just been a matter of keeping him happy this week and having him in the zone to run a big race on Sunday.”
Krug was purchased for $155,000 by the Dalgety’s Kentuckiana Lodge banner from the 2019 Christchurch National Yearling Sale out of Smolenski Stables’ draft.
B D Joe and his stablemate Alta Wiseguy (NZ) (Mach Three) from the Steve and Amanda Telfer barn are both key threats to Krug.
As are Hayden Cullen’s trio of Pace N Pride (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Shan Noble (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Samhara (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
Like Krug, Ragazzo Mach (NZ) (Mach Three) will also sign off his New Zealand campaign in Sunday’s feature before heading to Australia.
The Group One 3YO Emerald (1609m) will be run as Race 7 at 3:15pm at Cambridge Raceway on Sunday 6 June.
2021 3YO (Colts and Geldings) Emerald Field
| BARRIER | HORSE | DRIVER | TRAINER | SALE | PURCHASER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B D Joe | Benjamin Butcher | Steve & Amanda Telfer | 2019 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $65,000 | Stonewall Stud |
| 2 | Pace N Pride | Tony Herlihy | Hayden Cullen | 2019 Auckland Yearling Sale, $55,000 | PI & GJ Kennard Bloodstock |
| 3 | Alta Wiseguy | Tim Williams | Steve & Amanda Telfer | 2019 Auckland Yearling Sale, $30,000 | Stonewall Stud |
| 4 | Yorokobi (E1) | Robbie Close | Regan Todd | ||
| 5 | Raven Banner | Zachary Butcher | Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | 2019 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $55,000 | Mr B Purdon |
| 6 | The Falcon | Gerard O’Reilly | Geoff & James Dunn | 2019 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $95,000 | Mr RL Sandford |
| 7 | Shan Noble | Mark Purdon | Hayden Cullen | 2019 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $76,000 | All Stars Racing Stable |
| 8 | Got You Covered | John Dunn | Robert Dunn | 2019 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $21,000 | Mrs W Nordqvist |
| — | –2nd line– | ———– | ——— | ——————– | —————— |
| 9 | Krug | Blair Orange | Cran & Chrissie Dalgety | 2019 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $155,000 | Kentuckiana Lodge |
| 10 | American Dealer | David Butcher | Ray Green | 2019 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $23,000 | Lincoln Farms Bloodstock |
| 11 | Ragazzo Mach | Nathan Williamson | Nathan Williamson | 2019 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $60,000 | Mr NB Cleaver |
| 12 | Samhara | Natalie Rasmussen | Hayden Cullen | 2019 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $60,000 | PI & GJ Kennard Bloodstock |
| 13 | Hot And Treacherous | Maurice McKendry | Brian & Gareth Hughes | 2019 Auckland Yearling Sale, $60,000 | Mr B Hughes |
NZB Standardbred
