Racing: Christen Me confirms staying prowess

Terror To Love eventually tacked on to the back of Christen Me. Photo / Thinkstock

Christen Me's Easter Cup win at Addington on Saturday night answered a few questions.

Not only did it probably put the seal on the 6-year-old claiming Horse Of The Year honours over Adore Me, but it also dispelled theories that the son of Christian Cullen couldn't see out a good 3200m journey.

Should trainer Cran Dalgety choose to go down the New Zealand Cup path, rather than the Interdominions next season, it will likely confirm him as favourite going towards the second Tuesday in November.

Saturday's group one also served as a farewell to Terror To Love - having his final race before heading for a stud career - and the three-time New Zealand Cup winner almost went out in the perfect manner after galloping away.

Terror To Love eventually tacked on to the back of Christen Me, who was also slow away, and was hitting the line better than any other horse, finishing third less than half a length from Christen Me, with pacemaker Border Control splitting the pair.

Christen Me's driver Dexter Dunn, who combined with the gelding for wins in the New Zealand free-for-all, the Miracle Mile, the Ballarat Cup and the Auckland Cup earlier this term, spent plenty of time praising Terror To Love after the race.

"I was hoping [Terror To Love] would come down pacing pretty quick; it's good to go out with a fair even contest on his last run," Dunn said.

"Once he got on our back and the time we've gone, it shows how good Terror still is.

"My fellow relaxed really good after [the gallop] and travelled really good on the journey. I made my move round the bend and he just got to them so quickly again."

The only downside is that Dalgety appears to have Christen Me firing on all four hooves just as the open-class season winds down.

"Every time you look at him when he comes to the races he's looking better and better," Dunn said.

"When you go out there to warm him up, he's probably a different horse from last year; he's gone to another level.

"It's been an amazing trip and an amazing ride with him this season and I get the easy job. It's been thoroughly enjoyable and I hope we get to do it again next year."

Border Control showed enough to suggest he could be an open-class threat next season, while Tiger Tara, Smolda and Ohoka Punter were not too far off the first three.