Christen Me all class in Auckland Cup

Sometimes the hype around some of our Cup and Classic races is so big that everyone feels a bit let down when the race doesn't live up to all the pre race predictions.

Tonights $250,000 Auckland Trotting Cup at Alexandra Park was hyped up all week by the media and harness racing pundits but on this occasion the race was better than the pre race hype had suggested it would or could be.

From the time the barrier arms folded the horses went to war.

As expected Lancewood Lizzie flew the gate to lead early but she immediately handed up to Ohoka Punter who was then set upon by Elios who went to the lead after 500 metres.

While this was happening up front, Dexter Dunn had settled Christen Me four back in the running line as the leaders kept up the scorching pace.

Mark Purdon sent Adore Me forward to find the death seat shortly after and then landed the one by one when her stablemate Smolda went to the death seat.

As soon as he got there, Smolda began to over race and pressured Elios in the lead until finally breaking that horse at the 700 metres mark.

Smolda burst to the lead down the back with Adore Me in hot pursuit and Christen Me and Dexter Dunn looming up wider out after a cosy run four back on the outer.

Nearing the 500 metres mark Adore Me faulted for a stride or two but quickly got going again as they turned for home.

Adore Me and Christen Me looked set to fight out the finish but they were quickly joined by Ohoka Punter who had cleared a pocket on the inner.

Passing the 100 metres mark the three of them were in line but right on the finishing line Christen Me got his nose in front of a very game Adore Me with an equally game Ohoka Punter a further 1/2 neck back in third.

It was a race for the ages and worthy of every bit of hype that had been showered on it leading up to the race.

Christen Me paced the 2700 metres in a new New Zealand record of 3:13.8, a mile rate of 1:55.5 with closing sectionals of 56 and 28.

The time of 3:13.8 took two seconds off the previous record of 3:15.8 held by Tintin In America.

Dexter Dunn was full of praise for the Christian Cullen gelding.

" This horse has taken me all over Australasia and never let me down."

" I actually think that I went too early but I was traveling that well off the back I let him run."

"It has probably worked out well going in fresh tonight because he always races great in that condition."

"It was nice to drive him cold for a change tonight as well," Dexter said.

It wasn't a perfect build up for Christen Me with his lack of recent racing and Dexter wasn't happy with how he warmed up tonight.

" He wasn't comfortable with the murphy blind in the warm up so in the end I took it off."

"He actually travelled beautifully without it,"Dexter said.

Adore Me pulled up a touch sore post race due to the incident with 500 metres to go and has been sent to the spelling paddock and won't be seen again this season.

Harnesslink Media