By Matt Markham
Outstanding Kiwi pacer, Christen Me, will have to overcome a tricky second line draw if he is to win Saturday night’s Group Two Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park.
The Cran Dalgety trained gelding will start from the inside of the second row in the 1660m event – the same draw which saw him beaten in the Wondias Mate two weeks ago.
On that occasion his regular pilot, Dexter Dunn, was able to extricate his charge off the fence and into the running line early but that task might not be quite as simple this week.
In his favour is that he follows out an in-form Ultimate Art who does have strong gate speed.
So Dunn will have a decision to make early on as to whether or not he takes the gamble at staying on Ultimate Art’s back or whether he tries to get off the fence again.
Dalgety, who is currently holidaying with his family in America, said late last week that Christen Me had progressed on nicely since his first up run and was doing well in the care of his travelling companion, Murray Howard.
“The reports from Muz have all been very positive,” Dalgety said.
“He should be an improved horse with that run under his belt but he will have to be because it’s going to be a lot stronger this time round.”
Len Smith Mile winner, Hectorjayjay has made the trip to Queensland for this week and then next’s weeks $200,000 Blacks A Fake – while Ohoka Punter adds another dimension to the race as well.
The Nathan Purdon trained pacer, who was third in the Len Smith Mile after doing a power of work hasn’t been blessed with a great barrier draw either, starting from the outside of the second line.
Fellow Kiwi pacer, Nek Time received a much better draw in her bid to win back-to-back Oaks for Terry and Glenys Chmiel. The speedy filly, who dominated Saturday night’s Gold Coast Oaks has drawn up well in barrier four this week for the $75,000 Group One Queensland Oaks.
Owned by Robert and Sharyn Symon, Nek Time is an outside chance of extending her Brisbane stay to contest next week’s Queensland Derby.
If she was to win this week she would then be in line for a $30,000 bonus as part of the UBET Picket Fence Initiative which rewards horses who can win twice in the lead up to the grand finale night of racing on July 16 and win one of four selected races on that programme.
Already a winner of the Southland Oaks and Harness 5000 on New Zealand soil this season a win this weekend and then potentially even the following week would cap off an incredible season.
From 16 starts this season the daughter of Gotta Go Cullect has won on six occasions with six further placings.
She’s won $90,000 in the process with the promise of a lot more both on and off the track in the future.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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