As consolations go, a victory in a group 1 race three days after the New Zealand Cup isn't bad.
And Christen Me's win in the New Zealand Free-For-All at Addington yesterday came with a big bonus - an invite to the Miracle Mile later this month.
Driver Dexter Dunn stayed out of an early battle for the lead before rolling forward and taking up the pace with 1300m to go.
Despite plenty of moves, he held on for the win over Cup champion Adore Me and Franco Nelson, with Terror To Love running on well for fourth.
Trainer Cran Dalgety was still rueful about what might have been in the New Zealand Cup, after Christen Me galloped away and recovered to finish fifth.
''He went as good as a leading contender but he wasn't a winner,'' Dalgety said.
''But this is his pet distance, he drew the front row.''
A front-row draw was part of the equation for Christen Me but Dalgety was pleased to see a happy horse on Wednesday morning.
''It was interesting last year - he went super in the cup then lay on the canvas for two days - he was shagged,'' he said.
"On Wednesday morning, he just bloomed. I suppose it's just maturity, really, with the Grand Circuit year under his belt.''
Dalgety can now head back to Menangle with an in-form horse and one that he knows can push out from the mobile arm - even if that didn't completely eventuate yesterday.
''The only thing I said to Dex today - I said you're in charge, I'm telling you nothing - but I said just make your own luck ... and that's what he did.''
The confirmation of a Miracle Mile invite came through within an hour of the race, and Dalgety is ready to go back and improve on last year's brave second placing.
''Logic would say he has improved - I believe he has - but in saying that, Beautide swooped us and he was too powerful.
''I think we've got more armoury and nous about us.''
Asked if he was scared of Beautide, Dalgety typically had an answer.
''I'm scared of them all - I just try and keep it under my hat.''
