Krug & Hot And Treacherous bring heat to The Race

NZB Standardbred is proud to have a strong presence in the hotly anticipated $900,000 The Race by Grins (2200m) through star harness racing graduates Krug (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Hot And Treacherous (NZ) (Captaintreacherous).

Just two four-year-olds were selected to compete in Australasia’s first-ever harness racing slot race and both were sourced from NZB Standardbred’s inaugural National Yearling Sale in 2019.

The Race is set to be run at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday 14 April, where Krug will start from barrier four in the 2200m event for trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety and driver Blair Orange.

Krug was purchased by the Dalgetys’ Kentuckiana Lodge at the 2019 Christchurch National Yearling Sale for $155,000 out of the Smolenski Stables draft.

Hot And Treacherous will represent the Brian and Gareth Hughes stable, starting from barrier 6 for driver Maurice McKendry.

Hot And Treacherous was a $60,000 purchase by Brian Hughes, out of the Breckon Farms Draft at the 2019 Auckland National Yearling Sale.

Like several of his rivals, Krug has made the trip across the Tasman to compete in The Race by Grins. After settling back into his New Zealand surrounding after an Australian campaign, the pacer has thrilled Cran Dalgety with his preparation.

“We have been delighted with the way he has been training, he has had his last serious hit out and he gave me a really good feel,” Dalgety said.
“He hasn’t had a start for a few weeks but I don’t feel he is lacking anything fitness-wise. He has gone some of his best races in a fresh state so it has been a part of our plan.”
“We are very happy with the way the horse will present, so I will hand the reins over to Blair and it is in his hands to find the right spot for the horse.
“Krug and Blair have formed a great partnership so I am sure he will do that,” Dalgety said.

Hot And Treacherous brings outstanding form into The Race by Grins. The four-year-old has run on into solid top four placings in his last two outings in the Group Three Lincoln Farms Founders Cup (1700m) and the Group Two City Of Auckland Free-For-All (2200m).

With his share of gate speed, Maurice McKendry has tactical options with Hot And Treacherous.

“He gets out pretty good, so I have got options,” McKendry said.

“He has gradually improved as he has got older and stronger. It is a big step up to this type of company, he has just sort of got there, but he is holding his own.”

NZB Standardbred is excited about the future of the race, especially considering this year’s dominant showing of New Zealand-breds.

Seven of the nine starters in the event were born and bred in New Zealand.

With the oldest crop of National Yearling Sale graduates just four years old, NZB Standardbred is set to have a big presence in the signature event in the years to come.

The $900,000 The Race by Grins (2200m) will be run as Race 7 at 8:55pm at Cambridge Raceway.

NZB Standardbred