Class of 2019 star in Sires Stakes final

NZB Standardbred graduate Krug (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) will be out to claim his second title belt for the week when he starts as the hot favourite in the Group One Garrard’s Sires Stakes Final (1700m) at Alexandra Park on Friday 18 October. 

The Nathan Purdon and Chrissie Dalgety trained star will attempt to continue his brilliant form by winning the $140,000 feature just days after being crowned New Zealand 2YO Pacing Colt Or Gelding Of The Year.

Krug goes in to the event after producing a powerful victory in the last heat of the Sires Stakes Series at Alexandra Park earlier this month.

Purdon has reported that his star pacer has thrived since that tough effort.

“He has come through the run pretty good and he has trimmed up with it,” the trainer said.

“He is generally pretty round, but he looks pretty screwed down now.

“It is fair to say he is in the best shape he has been.”

Krug faces stiff competition, as Friday night’s classy field of confirmed starters are all graduates of NZB Standardbred’s 2019 National Yearling Sale.

Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen start a powerful line up of seven runners, including Krug’s arch-nemesis It’s All About Faith (NZ) (Captaintreacherous).

It's All About Faith has prepared for his Group One assignment by impressively beating a field of older horses after Krug got the better of him in their last meeting.

Stag Party (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) is set to be another key player from the Purdon-Rasmussen camp after securing the ace draw in barrier 1.

The All Stars trainers also start Nevada (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Aladdin (NZ) (Sweet Lou), Rock Legend (NZ) (Roll With Joe), Delightful Dude (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Bettor Call Me (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) in Friday night’s feature.

American Dealer (NZ) (American Ideal), Captain Nemo (NZ) (Captain Treacherous), and Hot And Treacherous (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) each look serious contenders after their good runs behind Krug in the final heat of the series.

American Dealer and Hot And Treacherous have clinched crucial front row draws alongside Steve and Amanda Telfer’s stablemates B D Joe (NZ) (Roll With Joe) and Alta Wise Guy (NZ) (Mach Three),

NZB Standardbred