Krug’s Invercargill Cup win – “he was just in the zone”

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner

The people came and they saw Krug conquer.

The Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained pacer and his rookie pilot Carter Dalgety charged into Southland’s history books by brilliantly winning the Group One Invercargill Cup on Saturday.

To say Krug was in the zone and looking every bit as good as he has in his three prior Group One wins may be an understatement.

The Dalgetys clearly had the four-year-old primed for an epic performance, and his nineteen-year-old reinsman was too, making them an unstoppable force.

“He warmed up as good as I’ve ever driven him at the races and he stepped the mark beautifully,” Carter said.

“Today he was just in the zone.”

“It is outstanding – all the owners for putting me on – I am only a young guy and to trust me – it is a big thing.”

“Mum and Dad and all the owners – it is just awesome.”

Carter admitted he was lost for words after Krug put away a star-studded Invercargill Cup line up by more than four-lengths.

Not just because he had just won his first Group One race before turning 20.

But because it came with a horse he has formed an inseparable bond with.

“It is just amazing, it is literally something that is hard to put into words.”

“To do it with this horse, he is my best mate.”

“We have been through thick and thin together, I am just over the moon that he could do it like that in front of this awesome crowd.”

It has been clear for all to see during his short career that Carter isn’t one to be flustered by the occasion, whether it is big or small.

Cran Dalgety isn’t sure whether his son has ice running through his veins or not.

But he does know Carter can go into a race confident he has done all the necessary homework.

“He is a deep thinker, he doesn’t get too radical about things and he does a lot of study pre-event,” Cran said.

“Trying to work things out, but then you have got to run on instincts after that.”

It has been a wild ride through the spring and summer for Krug and his owners.

The pacer picked up a bug following his first spring outing in the Hannon Memorial before standing start issues were another hindrance.

But on Saturday, with those issues well in the rear-view, Krug showed his true worth and it was breathtaking to see.

“It was an event we came into – we knew we would run good – but to win the race was a hell of a buzz,” Cran said.

“At the start, it was our good luck while a couple of others missed away.”

“But mid-race Carter had to make a decision to be a force to be reckoned with.”

“Controlling the pace and then sprinting the last 600m, it worked out a really good tactical drive.”

Self Assured chased Krug best, running on into second placing from his 20m handicap.

Southland pacer Macandrew Navigator speared through the middle late to notch a well-earned Group One placing to confirm again he is right up to top-level racing.

Check out post race video coverage of Krug’s win here 

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