Racing: Christen Me on Miracle mission

Christen Me easily headed the field at the line with driver Dexter Dunn coaxing him along.Picture / Getty Images

Speedster gets invitation to Mile in Sydney after holding off rivals in Free-For-All

Christen Me is ready for some Miracle Mile revenge.

The speed machine of New Zealand pacing finally got the run to remind us of that when he led from the 1200m mark to cruise yesterday's $200,000 Free-For-All at Addington, holding out his close relation Adore Me to provide their owner-breeder Charles Roberts with the group one quinella.

Franco Nelson was a brave third ahead of Terror To Love as the New Zealand Cup form from Tuesday stacked up - a good sign for the Free-For-All in years to come. Trainers will have plenty of reason to consider the once common back-up.

Christen Me was smashed in from $3.50 on opening Thursday to $2.50 at start point but his supporters didn't get a comfortable ride early as Bit Of A Legend and Seel N Print burned early, meaning Christen Me had to bide his time before working to the lead.

And once he got there the other big names came looking - first Terror To Love, then Franco Nelson and finally Adore Me - the latter breasting up to look Christen Me in the eye at the 700m mark. But back where he feels happiest, in front and free wheeling, Christen Me unreeled a 54.9 seconds last 800m into a bitter wind and was easily holding his rivals at the line, driver Dexter Dunn coaxing him rather than using the whip.

"When you see him go like that in front it makes you wonder why we don't lead with him more often," joked Dunn. "But he felt great and we are looking forward to getting him back to Sydney to try and go one better than last year."

Christen Me was second to the mighty Beautide in the Mile last year but yesterday showed he is bigger and stronger than last term and he has a huge chance in the A$750,000 Menangle sprint on November 29.

"After the Cup last year he was exhausted for two days," said trainer Cran Dalgety, "This week he had a harder run in the Cup than last year and was jumping out of his skin the next day."

New South Wales harness bosses had said they were not going to even discuss a Miracle Mile invitation for the free-for-all winner until their premier meeting in Sydney tonight but they saw enough from Christen Me yesterday to change their minds.

So much so they were on the phone 30 minutes after the free-for-all to invite him to the great race.

Adore Me lost none of the army of admirers she won with his Cup victory in defeat yesterday and the mare's races will now be targeted over summer while Franco Nelson backed up his Cup second with a fighting third and is now firmly established as one of pacing's serious players.

Terror To Love was slightly luckless in fourth and is likely to have a short spell before being set for a Victorian campaign in January, taking in the Victoria and Hunter Cups.

Back on top
• Christen Me is too good in the $200,000 NZ Free-For-All.
• He was immediately invited to the Miracle Mile, in which he finished second last season.
• His close relation Adore Me was brave in defeat, capping a magic week.