Chances for Purdon/Phelan in three year old features

Northern harness racing trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan have some strong players in the two three year old feature races at Alexandra Park in Auckland tomorrow night (Mar 24).

In the $90,000 Group One Pascoe The Jewellers Northern Oak, the training partnership will line up Advance Party (Bettor’s Delight) who faces the challenge of trying to break Millwood Nike’s (Captaintreacherous) unbeaten record.

Her form has been a bit in and out lately but from a nice draw last week she showed her true worth when finishing second behind Millwood Nike. 

“She was back to her old self and it was pleasing to see her perform well. She’s obviously up against a great filly that’s going to take a hell of a lot of beating. She hasn’t been beaten yet and it’s hard to see her getting beaten on Friday,” said co-trainer Barry Purdon.

Advance Party draws wide on the outside of the front row. 

“It’s not ideal but she’ll just have to drop back and be driven for luck.”

Purdon says the jury is still out as to whether Advance Party will run out the 2700 metres.

“She’ll have to prove that she’s a staying filly. A couple of times I’ve had my doubts but she’ll get her opportunity I guess. I’d like to think at the moment she’s better over the sprint distance.”

Purdon and Phelan have a two prong attack in the $135,000 Group One Woodlands Stud Northern Derby with both Merlin (Art Major) and Sooner The Better (Bettor’s Delight) drawing well.

“The Derby is the blue ribbon event for the babies and it’s great to have a couple in there with a show.”

Merlin has drawn barrier two with Sooner The Better next door at three.

“Merlin hasn’t drawn a good marble (draw) before. He’s just drawn terrible and finally gets to go from two. I hope it’s going to make a difference (laughter). It’s a different race the 2700 metres, so it probably doesn’t matter. It’s over a lot of ground and most horses will get their opportunity.”

Purdon says Merlin’s strength is that he has a real desire to win.

“Even when he runs up he’ll still keep giving. He’s one of those horses that aren’t easy to find.”  

With Merlin at two and his main rival Sherlock having drawn behind him on the second row, the start will be interesting. Barry says he’ll leave the tactical decisions to drivers Zachery Butcher (Merlin) and Scott Phelan (Sooner The Better).

“Merlin led up in the race in Christchurch from the outside of the gate and managed to still hang on and win. I guess he’ll be going forward and we’ll see what unfolds.” 

Purdon says both horses have improved since their last run in the Alabar Classic a week ago.

“Merlin has probably taken the most benefit because he only had a trial before that last race and it was a pretty soft affair. He really worked nice this morning (Wednesday) and we’re pleased with him, so he goes into the race pretty fit.”

As a trainer Barry Purdon has won the Derby seven times with Matai Mackenzie (2000), Holmes DG (1997), Ginger Man (1994), Hitchcock (1993), Sogo (1991), Christopher Vance (1990) and Godfrey (1988).

An interesting fact came to light when backgrounding this story. At the 2021 NZB Standardbred New Zealand National Standardbred Yearling Sales in Christchurch Lot 372 Merlin was purchased by Dean Shannon of Montana Park for $120,000 while the lot before (371) was Ohoka Connor (Sunshine Beach). He was bought by Southland trainer Brett Gray for $17,500 and was later sold to Stonewall Stud. He’s gone on to win his first three races as a three year and it’s possible that he and Merlin could face each other later in the season.

Another two runners at tomorrow’s meeting were also back to back lots at the same sale. Jean Feiss bought Sherlock (Lot 275) for $65,000 while the very next lot (276) was Millwood Nike which Mark Purdon bought for $75,000.

Ohoka Connor and Millwood Nike were both bred and offered for sale by Katie Carville.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink