Yesterdays Hannon Memorial at Oamaru Raceway was meant to be a walk in the park for harness racings pin up boy,Christen Me.
After all here was a two time Australasian Grand Circuit champion with $2.3 million in the bank starting off level marks against a field several notches below what he faces on the Grand Circuit.
However right from the start of the race things didn't pan out for the champion pacer.
Christen Me with usual pilot Dexter Dunn in the bike went away okay but not quick enough to cross the field early and as a result he was forced to settle second last in the eleven horse field.
Mossdale Conner, having his first run back this season bounced straight to the front for driver Gerard O"Reilly and kept up a steady tempo in front.
With a lap to go Dexter sent Christen Me forward three wide and that is where he was posted for the remainder of the race.
Christen Me looked to be still travelling like a winner as they turned for home and he quickly mastered Mossdale Conner and looked to be the winner half way up the straight.
However Mighty Flying Mac and Robbie Holmes had eased out of the one by one as they turned for home and started to descend on Christen Me late and to everybodys surprise sailed on pass for a decisive win.
Christen Me held second while Mossdale Conner stuck on gamely for third.
Mighty Flying Mac cut out the 2600 metres in a smart 3:14.8 in the windy conditions, a mile rate of 2:00.5 with sharp closing sectionals of 55.6 and 27.4.
It was the twelfth career victory for the son of Mach Three and took his earnings over the $170,000 mark
Robbie Holmes was all smiles post race.
" The secret this week is he stepped away so well."
" I was pretty confident on the corner that I would be in it as he was travelling really well and I hadn't pulled the plugs yet."
" He did it fairly easily in the end," Robbie said.
Cran Dalgety, the trainer of both Christen Me and Mighty Flying Mac was scratching his head a bit after the race.
" I thought Mighty Flying Mac would go a big race as he has been working the house down at home but I didn't think he would beat Christen Me."
"Robbie drove him a treat though but it is still a bit of a surprise."
" I really thought Christen Me would just win the race but considering he was out three wide for a lap in that wind and they ran home in a touch over 55 for the last half, I can't be too disappointed with the run."
" There is certainly no need to panic at this stage," Cran said.
Being a seven year old, Christen Me will take an extra run or two to hit top gear this season and he looks on track for the second week in November.
Harnesslink Media