TRANS-Tasman rivalry is alive and well in the harness racing ranks with Kiwi superstars Terror To Love and Christen Me set to take on some high-class locals in Saturday night’s Decron Cranbourne Pacing Cup.
This year worth $100,000, the Group 1 classic has been won by Australasia’s greatest performers over the years, with names like Gammalite, Paleface Adios, ImThemightyquinn, and dual winner Golden Reign, among the list of champions. Christen Me goes into the race as a last start winner of the Miracle Mile in a blistering 1:49 mile rate at Menangle in NSW.
The winner of 23 races and over $1.6m in stakes from just 39 lifetime starts is trained by Cran Dalgety, and will be driven by Dexter Dunn, the pair combining with Bettors Strike to win the 2009 edition of the race.
Christen Me will be joined at Cranbourne by reigning NZ Horse of The Year and three-time New Zealand Cup winner Terror To Love. Connections had planned on a hit and run raid on last week’s Miracle Mile but encountered difficulty with transport arrangements back to Christchurch and so elected to head to Cranbourne in a coup for the club and its racing manager Cameron Callagher.
“We had specifically targeted Christen Me in the weeks leading up to the Miracle Mile and were delighted to take a call from Cran Dalgety on Sunday confirming that his horse would run at Cranbourne. We had spoken to Graham Court about Terror To Love but didn’t hold out much hope until things literally changed at the eleventh hour. This really will be a Cup to remember now,” Gallagher enthused.
The local contingent of chances in the Cup will be led by two-time Kilmore Cup winner Bitobliss for trainer/driver Scott Stewart. The eight-year-old entire can produce a withering finishing burst if saved for one run and he is one runner who will be suited by the long Cranbourne straight.
Last season’s Country Cups king Im Corzin Terror will be out to add the Cranbourne Cup to his previous wins in the Bendigo, Maryborough and Terang Cups.
And Exciteusinthecity, who has been a revelation in recent months for trainer Darren Cole, will have his first tilt at Group 1 glory.
The meeting also features the Group 1 Bill Collins Trotters Mile and a strong support card.
And on-course patrons will share in a chance to compete in a double seater sulky race on the night. Leading drivers Chris Alford, Daryl Douglas, Kate Gath and Simone Walker will each share a seat with SEN’s Daniel Harford, former jockey Simon Marshall, harness racing form analyst Jason Bonnington and one on-course punter in a four-horse race to be called by AFL legend Kevin Bartlett.
A limited number of group dining packages are still available. Bookings can be made by contacting the club on 5996 1300.
$100,000 GROUP 1 DECRON CRANBOURNE PACING CUP (2555m)
Saturday 6 December, Race 7, 9.30pm
1 Christen Me Dexter Dunn
2 Exciteusinthecity Timothy McLean
3 Maximan Kate Gath
4 Terror To Love Ricky May
5 Comply or Die Chris Alford
6 Gumdrops Rodney Petroff
7 Wartime Sweetheart Nathan Jack
8 Flaming Flutter Greg Sugars
9 Hilltop Hustler Michael Stanley
10 Savesometimetodream Jodi Quinlan
11 Uncle Wingnut Michael Bellman
12 Bitobliss Scott Stewart
13 Im Corzin Terror Chris Alford
