Christen Me resumes on a winning note

The harness racing public were expectant that Christen Me would resume on a winning note in the $25,000 Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington Raceway tonight over 2600 metres and that is exactly what he did with a narrow but comfortable win in the Group 3 feature.

Away well from the stand, driver Dexter Dunn let Christen Me find his feet early before sending him forward at speed to grab the front from Jason Rulz with 1800 metres to go and then immediately backed the speed right off.

A sedate first 800 metres of the last mile turned the race into a sprint home but Dexter kept Christen Me back to the field down the back straight in 29 before turning up the gas at the 400 metres mark.

Jason Rulz momentarily looked a threat but Christen Me was holding him comfortably at the line.

A minor highlight of the race was Choise Achiever flashing home late for third in his first start for over 20 months.

Christen Me paced the 2600 metres from a stand in 3:17.3, a mile rate of 2:02 with closing sectionals of 56.1 and 27.1.

It was the son of Christian Cullen's 29th win from just 47 starts and took his earnings over the $2.3 million mark.

Trainer Cran Dalgety was a happy man post race.

" We were keen to win the race but he was first up and we didn't want to barbecue him."

"Once Dexter got the front I didn't think they would beat him."

" Christen Me lets them get up to him but they very rarely get past."

" He is 22 kgs heavier this year than last and we will let him tell us where we are going." 

" Oamaru for the Hannon is next on his schedule and after that we will just play it a bit by ear," Cran said.

The Australasian Grand Circuit champion for the last two years, Christen Me looks primed for another huge season.

Harnesslink Media