The Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit will finish in spectacular fashion this Friday with the running of the Gr.1 $250,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup.
And the title is still up for grabs.
Only two horses can win it.
But we’re not talking about any horses because the two horses in contention for the title of Grand Circuit champion are Christen Me and the mighty mare Adore Me.
The Cran Dalgety trained Christen Me is the defending Grand Circuit champion and currently sits atop of the leaderboard with 230 points courtesy of his victories in the Miracle Mile and Victoria Cup this season.
Adore Me, a close relation of Christen Me, is the only hope of stopping Christen Me securing back to back titles.
The Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen prepared wonder mare has amassed 141 points following her victory in the New Zealand Cup and Victoria Cup placing.
Obviously, Adore Me needs to win and then rely on Christen Me on missing a top five position.
While this situation is highly improbable, it is mathematically possible when coupled with the glorious uncertainty of racing.
Both pacers will start from the second-line.
Only last Sunday in Sydney, Adore Me became the fastest pacer in Australasia when she decimated her rivals in the Gr.1 $200,000 Ladyship Mile in a record time of 1;47.7 after sitting parked.
I repeat – after sitting parked!
Adore Me was a runner-up in this race last year behind Terror To Love and will be handled by Purdon again while last week’s winning driver, Natalie Rasmussen is set to partner Smolda while Tim Williams will drive Border Control.
Christen Me hasn’t stated since February 7 when fourth behind the in-form Arden Rooney in the Hunter Cup at Melton but the Christian Cullen looked sharp in a trial in Sydney last week.
If you’re looking for more confidence in backing Christen Me, he’s unbeaten in two starts at Alexandra Park and will be handled by the recently crowned World Driving Champion Dexter Dunn.
The 2700m mobile start feature is no two horse contest with several other topliners also engaged including the hugely impressive Sky Major.
The giant four-year-old was stunning last week in Sydney when he sat parked to win the Gr.1 Chariots Of Fire in a mile rate of 1;51.5 downing Bling It On and Isaiah.
His legendary trainer Barry Purdon has won the Cup seven times, the most recent in 2001 with Holmes DG, and he has entrusted star young reinsman Zac Butcher for the drive.
Purdon will also start exciting four-year-old mare Lancewood Lizzie, an impressive last start winner.
Last week’s City Of Auckland FFA winner Ohoka Punter is also looming as a legitimate threat for his champion trainer/driver Tony Herlihy, the highly decorated horseman is an eight time Cup winner.
Ohoka Punter has been plagued by injury in recent seasons but his Northern Derby victory over Adore Me two years ago is still talked about which further underlines his class.
Ricky May is aiming for his third Cup success and will partner the Greg and Nina Hope trained Jason Rulz, a talented pacer that caught the eye with his booming finish last week behind Ohoka Punter.
The father/son combination of Robert and John Dunn are hoping for their first Cup triumph with smart pacer Elios who has drawn widely off the front-line.
But Robert Dunn is no stranger to Cup success having partnered the likes of Bolton Byrd and Master Musician to victory.
Cyamach and Lewy Risk are both hoping to land their biggest victories of their careers to date but face difficult tasks owing to the depth of the field.
Unfortunately, there is no Australian representation for the second straight year.
An intriguing contest looms, both on and off the track, who will win the Cup and who will be crowned Grand Circuit champion?
The Auckland Cup is race 8 on the strong 11 race program.