The Cran and Chrissie Dalgety-trained pacer and rookie pilot Carter Dalgety charged into Southland’s history books by brilliantly winning the Group 1 Invercargill Cup on Saturday.
To say Krug was in the zone and looking every bit as good as he has in his three previous Group 1 wins may be an understatement.
The Dalgetys clearly had the 4yr-old primed for an epic performance, and his 19-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 — [thanks to] all the owners for putting me on.
"I am only a young guy and to trust me, it is a big thing."
Carter admitted he was lost for words after Krug put away a star-studded Invercargill Cup line-up by more than four lengths.
It was not just because he had just won his first group 1 race before turning 20, but because it came with a horse with whom he has formed an inseparable bond.
"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 is not 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, 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 at Oamaru 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.
The Dalgetys knew their charge would go a good race, "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."
All Stars contender 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 1 placing to confirm again he is right up to top-level racing.
— HRNZ
