The Auckland Trotting Club on Friday night (6th March) has the honour of running the last race in this year's harness racing Grand Circuit in Australasia "The $250,000 Auckland Trotting Cup".
After winning the title last year Christen Me is the odds on favorite to retain the title with a 89 point lead over Adore Me going into last race for the Grand Circuit this season and while he may be a hot favourite for that title, he will go into Friday night's race knowing he has a real battle on his hands in this years Cup.
Adore Me's unbelievable 1:47.7 run at Menangle on Sunday has made her the hottest favourite in recent years and set up a showdown with Christen Me who has had the wood on her over the summer.
Here is our runner by runner preview of the Auckland Trotting Cup.
1) .Cyamach – Starts 44 – Wins 10 – Seconds 8 – Thirds 6 – Stakes $171,287
His overall record would suggest that he would be a chance but a closer examination shows that this is a touch out of his league.
A noted sit sprinter who battles if he does a lot of work in a race
Very competitive at the level just below the top liners but struggles against the very best that he is facing here.
Not for us
2) Smolda – Starts 29 – Wins 15 – Seconds 5 – Thirds 4 – Stakes $565,410
After last Friday night's run no one thought he would be lining up here but the All Star barn are confident they have found the problem ( boring pole issues) and made adjustments and he has worked good this week.
One classy individual when he is right and his previous run to last week was outstanding so hard to dismiss on class alone.
Hard to see him winning against Adore Me and Christen Me with his lack of recent racing but a must have for trifecta and first four takers.
3) Jason Rulz – Starts 53 – Wins 14 – Seconds 8 – Thirds 9 – Stakes $249,781
Has struggled in the past in making the step up to the top level but is in career best form at the moment.
Can follow speed and still finish on as he did last week so a chance here from his handy draw to get amongst it.
Hard to see him winning the race with Adore Me and Christen Me involved but a must have for trifecta and first four takers.
4) Lancewood Lizzie – Starts 23 – Wins 11 – Seconds 1 – Thirds – Stakes $121,188
Going from strength to strength this season but this is a big step up in class for the mare.
Has always looked good with a nice sit just off the pace where she can unleash that lethal sprint she has.
Most here have a better all round game so hard to see her being a serious challenger at this stage of her career.
Outside first four player for us.
5) Sky Major – Scratched
6) Ohoka Punter – Starts 23 – Wins 14 – Seconds 5 – Thirds 3 – Stakes $531,449
Injury plagued pacer that has been set for this race since his return to the track.
Looks to have built to a nice peak to us and from his draw he will go forward and settle in front of the two hotpots.
Everything points to him being a big chance and trainer couldn't be happier with him.
Genuine winning chance if the breaks go his way.
Include in everything.
7) Elios – Starts 27 – Wins 10 – Seconds 5 – Thirds 3 – Stakes $216,176
He had his first run the other night for nine months so race fitness is a real issue with Elios.
Talented pacer who will make the step up to the top level in time but hard to be competitive with just one run under his belt this campaign.
That coupled with the poor draw for a horse who likes to race on the speed and we find it hard to see him finishing in four at this stage.
Not for us.
8) Pemberton Shard – Scratched
9) Terror To Love – Scratched
10) Lewy Risk – Starts 32 – Wins 7 – Seconds 5 – Thirds 2 – Stakes $55,695
This is a huge mountain to climb for this intermediate grade pacer.
Not only is he facing horses way above his present racing class, but he is going to have to do plenty of work as well as he has drawn behind Cyamach who will take a sit from barrier one which will push Lewy Risk back on the inner.
Throw in his habit of throwing the toys out mid race every now and again and we can't find a place for him in our selections.
Not for us
11) Christen Me – Starts 43 – Wins 25 – Seconds 7 – Thirds 4 – Stakes $2,076,061
Two time Grand Circuit champion with a Miracle Mile, Hunter Cup and Victoria Cup in the trophy cabinet.
Head to head with Adore Me this season is four/ two in Christen Me's favour heading into the Auckland Cup.
The feeling we have is who ever gets in front of the other early stands a very good chance of winning the race.
With Christen Me drawing on Smolda's back who has never been noted as a quick beginner, we think he is liable to settle behind Adore Me after the initial rush due to her following out the expected early leader Lancewood Lizzie.
However this is a horse that can overcome adversity and we think he is a huge chance to take out the Cup.
12) Border Control – Starts 39 – Wins 18 – Seconds 12 – Thirds 5 – Stakes $500,265
Another injury plauged runner on the comeback trail.
Only had four runs back from eight months away from the track so still getting up to full race fitness.
Outstanding racehorse at best and seems to be slowly getting back to that level.
Has run in the first three in 35 out of 39 lifetime starts so a must include for trifecta and first four takers
13) Adore Me – Starts 35 – Wins 26 – Seconds 4 – Thirds 2 – Stakes $1,633,432
Not much you can say after Sunday's run is there.
The best performance we have ever seen in the Southern Hemisphere in our time but Friday night is a different kettle of fish completely.
2700 metres around Alexandra Park is nothing like 1600 metres around Menangle
Christen Me and Ohoka Punter are not going to die wondering so she has a real battle on her hands.
She has gone to another level since her New Zealand Cup win and deserves to be favourite here but she is no home run.
Selections
Adore Me deserves to be favourite after her outstanding run in the Victoria Cup followed by her brilliant display on Sunday.
However she won't have it her own way thats for sure
Not many horses have beaten her fair and square but two that have are in this race in Christen Me and Ohoka Punter.
The winner should come from those three horses and on class alone this trio should dominate.
For trifecta and first four players we would add in Smolda, Jason Rulz and Border Control
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