By Michael Guerin
Of all the factors that could determine the winner of tonight’s $40,000 Canterbury Classic the most important is this: one of the superstars involved is ready to win, the other is not.
And while that doesn’t guarantee Christen Me another win on his road to the New Zealand Cup next month, it should ensure he beats Cup second favourite Smolda.
Christen Me comes into tonight still the best pacer in New Zealand but not as convincing as last season.
But with barrier one and his standing start manners foolproof so far this campaign, he is still the measuring stick for all other open class horses.
Trainer Cran Dalgety knows a standing start 2600m race is never a gimme but says his $2.3million earner is nearing his peak so with a safe beginning will be close to the speed and therefore hard to bet against.
As good as Tiger Tara, Mossdale Conner and Mighty Flying Mac have been this season, they are still not even open class pacers.
In fact, the only two rivals Christen Me has tonight who are assessed at the highest level are Venus Serena, who has got there courtesy of beating the girls, and Smolda.
Smolda is the real deal, as an extensive campaign in Australia last season proved when he beat Beautide fair and square in the Len Smith Mile.
The best version of Smolda is still not as good as a peak Christen Me but with the latter yet to dominate this term, Smolda could be ready to close that gap by the Cup on November 10.
But Smolda’s co-trainer Mark Purdon says he can’t see that happening tonight. “My horse hasn’t actually been to the trials or workouts so I am sure he will need this,” says Purdon.
“It was either this race or a trial this week and the trial fields for the top horses are so small at the moment because most of them are in a race like this.
“So we decided to tackle this even though he is a little fresh and because of that I won’t be able to drive him like I will he is at his peak.
“So realistically if he is running on for third or fourth I’d be happy but all things being equal I couldn’t see him beating Christen Me.”
Tiger Tara pushed Christen Me very close last start and should be fitter for that seasonal debut so with his standing start manners could put himself in a position to threaten again tonight.
But on past performances Christen Me deserves warm favouritism and Tiger Tara would be value at $5, with Smolda worth waiting a week or two for.
Tonight’s meeting is the best of the harness season so far and the clash of Sheemon and Master Lavros in the Canterbury Park Trotting Cup is a classic David and Goliath.
Forget little Sheemon couldn’t plow through the mud at Motukarara last start, his two earlier wins were huge and he can test Master Lavros tonight as he has a sharp sprint.
Earlier in the night, the first Addington Sires’ Stakes heat of the season sees a Purdon-Rasmussen domination, with Mark suggesting Chase The Dream is the stable’s best chance of their four.
“I think Cash N Flow might lead from the one and that could see Chase The Dream trail and if that happened I think he might have too much speed for him in the straight,” said Purdon.
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