By Jonny Turner
For a supposed broodmare, Cherish Me was reasonably impressive in winning the Group One Nevele R Fillies Series Final.
The Kentuckiana pacer produced a jaw-dropping performance when overcoming a nightmare draw and setting a New Zealand record in a huge New Zealand Cup Day win.
Just a matter of months prior to the brilliant filly becoming the latest in a long line of Group One winners from her incredible family, she was on track to become an unraced broodmare for owners Paul and Mary Kenny of Charles Joseph Ltd.
Cherish Me was broken in and showed promise before enjoying a spell, like all young horses do.
But next, disaster struck and her racing career looked over.
“When she was out spelling she got a nasty knee injury, it was quite gruesome,” Cran said.
“Being a racehorse wasn’t remotely in the picture at that stage, the injury was that bad that it was actually a life threatening situation.”
“Paul and Mary did everything they could for the horse and she managed to pull through.”
“As she picked up, she went on to have several operations with the hope she could join their broodmare band.”
After making great progress, Cherish Me eventually went into work with trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety.
“We gave her some light work not expecting things to be straightforward.”
“There was a huge chance it wasn’t going to pan out, but we kept taking her slowly and she handled it all very well.”
“Obviously, as time went on she got better and better until she was ready to trial and then race.”
“The horse we have now is testament to the care Paul and Mary put into her and it’s quite incredible to see her paying them back.”
“It has been quite a journey and we thank the vets, our team and everyone involved.”
Cherish Me’s victory added another chapter to the incredible success of the Scuse Me family.
The first three horses across the line are all from the incredible line and were all bred by Charles Joseph Limited.
Kentuckiana filly All Of Me gamely chased her brilliant stablemate, running an outstanding second of her own.
“She keeps on running into a good one, the silver lining is the owner, breeder and trainer are the same,” Cran said.
“She’s going great races and hopefully she will get her turn in a big one again sometime soon.”
“She had her ups and downs early in the year so it is very pleasing to see her back to her best.”
Success with the Scuse Me line is special for the Dalgety family given the late Jim Dalgety was at the very heart of the breed’s success.
Jim bred and raced the super producer with Mark Purdon before her sale to North America.
The late Charlie Roberts then brought the mare back to New Zealand to start what must rate as the most successful line in the country’s harness racing history.
