Beside Me continues to impress

Aucklanders could be in for a treat with rising Canterbury harness racing star Beside Me (Downbytheseaside) expected to head north next month.

Trained by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety, the three year old filly in the hands of their son Carter, won her third race at Addington last night at just start number four.

Dalgety eased Beside Me out of the gate nicely before moving forward to take the lead.

At the 400 she was travelling and she went down to the line untouched, to win by five lengths. The third quarter was run in a smart 27.4 and that took the wind out of all her rivals.

BESIDE ME REPLAY

“It feels like we’re going 32 quarters, but she was actually going 27s. She’s a gorgeous going filly and to think probably a year ago that she would develop into this sort of horse has blown us away. It’s very exciting,” Carter told Harness Unhinged after the race. “She still really doesn’t know what’s she doing. She’s mucking around at the start and there’s a lot of improvement left in her which is quite good,” he added.

The time for the 1980 metres was 2-22.7 with the last 800 run in 56 seconds.

“She can maintain high speed for a long time. We’d love to take her to Auckland and race in some of the better three year old races,” Cran said.

Also of interest, Southland trainer Nathan Williamson has indicated Captains Mistress will be heading to Auckland with her main target the $100,000 Group One Pascoes The Jewellers Northern Oaks on April 25th.

Beside Me is the second foal out of $1.4 million stake earner Dream About Me, a granddaughter of Scuse Me and is raced by Charles Joseph Limited.

The win last night extends the great record of the ‘Scuse Me’ line.

Cran’s father Jim bred Scuse Me and raced her with Vicky Purdon and with Mark Purdon doing the training.
Scuse Me was sold to America after winning the 1998 Noel Taylor Mile in 1-53.5 which smashed the New Zealand record and stood for eleven years.

She never raced in America and was brought home by the late Charlie Roberts.

Descendants of Scuse Me have now won 315 races in New Zealand and over $9.5 million.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink