The wait was finally over. The long-awaited debut of 'The Wonder from Down Under' happened Sunday (May 14), in front of a sizable and vocal crowd at Harrah's Philadelphia.
Christen Me N, the 11-time Group I winner and New Zealand's 2015 Harness Horse of the Year, qualified impressively two weeks ago over the Philly oval. He did so in a 1:53.4 clocking, under minimal urging. Today's test was a non-winners of $21,100 in their last five starts, going for a purse of $17,500.
His debut wasn't without drama however, as the nine-year-old gelded son of Christian Cullen-Splendid Dreams interfered with Scott Rocks before the start, causing a recall. Trainer Jo Ann Looney-King took little time to ponder an equipment change for his next start. "We probably won't be putting anymore Murphy Blinds on him for starters," Looney-King said after the race.
As the wings folded, Christen Me N (Tim Tetrick) settled into an early fifth, as Always At My Place (Joe Bongiorno) was sent hard to the lead. As they approached three-eighths, the 32-time winner edged to the outside, where he travelled uncovered to the five-eighths marker. The Josh Green trainee Poisonous (Brett Miller) angled off the cones from the three-hole, towing Christian Me N into striking range. Tetrick bailed on cover at the final one-eighth pole, sweeping past for the victory under minimal urging in a time of 1:51 flat. The official margin of victory was a head. Poisonous fought gamely for place, while Scott Rocks (George Napolitano Jr.) was third. He paid $6.20 to win.
"Tim [Tetrick] loves him at this point, and we are pleased," Looney-King continued. "When you get a horse from the other side of the world, there is a certain amount of uncertainty, so now we can continue on." As far as the future is concerned, the husband/wife team are excited. "We are looking forward to having a lot of fun with him and butting heads with the big boys in the future."
The future may arrive in two weeks time, as Christen Me N has been invited to the Ben Stafford Jr. Memorial for aged pacers, which will take place on Sunday, May 28 at Harrah's Philadelphia. The purse for that event is $150,000.
(Harrah's Philadelphia)