Racing: Dunn has plan for great race

Photo / Thinkstock

Champion driver Dexter Dunn describes Christen Me as "a funny horse" but punters might have stopped seeing the funny side of the glamour pacer long ago.

Yet Dunn has a plan to erase those memories in today's New Zealand Cup.

He is not sure it will work, but he is certain it will provide them with their best chance of turning around last year's disappointment.

Dunn says he would love to hustle early and reach the lead with Christen Me, certain that he wouldn't be attacked, and then try to kick home his last 800m in a 55-second type sectional.

Christen Me has the tools to make that scenario a reality - he is a fast beginner, has the respect factor to get and hold the lead and the dazzling speed to set his rivals a near impossible task.

And as the reigning Hunter Cup champion with one of the best draws of the favourites, he deserves his second favouritism for today's great race.

But even Dunn admits Christen Me is not an easy horse to train or drive, and a deeper inspection of his record provides plenty of proof.

After a string of brilliant wins at four and to start last season the hype on Christen Me got so enormous he has opened short odds in every race since. But the reality is Christen Me has won three of his last 13 races.

Sure, one was the Hunter Cup but two others were minor early-season affairs at Addington. And more alarming for those taking anything under $5 today is the fact he has been beaten in races he should have won and for a variety of odd reasons - the most worrying being his habit of pulling up late in races.

"He can be funny like that," admits Dunn.

"When he gets clear of other horses he thinks the job is done and shuts down.

"So while I would love to be in front and make them chase me in the Cup, I have to be careful to keep him up on the bit because he is not a horse who goes any faster when you use the whip."

Christen Me's tricky nature also stretches Cran Dalgety's training genius, with last season's poor New Zealand Cup third the best example.

"If he gets worked too hard he gets flat and can race horrible. I knew we couldn't win warming up for the Cup last season," says Dunn.

"So we want to get him fit but not flatten him and I think Cran has got that spot on this season.

"He feels better than ever and we think he is spot on. So he will get his chance."

Is that good enough to beat Terror To Love?

"I honestly don't know, maybe not," offers Dunn.

"He might be too good for us again but I am sure our best chance of beating him is getting in front of him.

"So we might need things to go right for us and go wrong for him."

Dunn also has huge chances in today's other group ones with Sheemon in the Trotting Free-For-All and Art Union in the Sires' Stakes.

"Sheemon was enormous at Kaikoura last week and I think Stent is his only danger. And Art Union is racing great and has real gate speed.

"We have all seen how good Hughie Green looks so he will be hard but it might not just be a case of handing him the lead."