Purdon/Phelan pair ready for Friday

Three big harness racing assignments await Southern Diamond (Creatine) and Halberg (Father Patrick).

The Barry Purdon/Scott Phelan trained trotting pair will line up in Friday night’s Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three Year Old Trot in Auckland and Phelan says both are ready to go. This is the first of three big races for the pair in the next four weeks.

On paper Southern Diamond has the best credentials, but he hasn’t raced since early December when he finished second to Confessional (Father Patrick) in the $100,000 Ace of Clubs at Addington.

“There wasn’t a race for him last week, but his three trials have been pretty good and we expect him to be a good chance,” Phelan said.

He says there hasn’t been a noticeable development in the horse’s physique but he’s only had a month off since returning north.

“He’s grown a wee bit but he’s pretty much carried on with where he was last year.”

In Friday night’s feature over 2200 metres from the mobile Southern Diamond has drawn Gate Three.

“He’s normally pretty safe and bombproof, touch wood. He puts himself in the race and always tries hard too. Although he hasn’t raced he’s pretty ready because he’s had enough work put into him.”

Halberg commenced his three year old season last week at Alexandra Park getting up to beat The Fiery Countess (Imperial Count) by a nose.

“He’s an improved horse. He’s not the easiest so it was good to get a win with him. He’s improved with the run, but he would have needed to because of the barriers he’s got this week (8).”

Phelan has labelled Kiss And Run (What The Hill) and Lovemeto (What The Hill) as the main dangers.

The plan is for both horses to head to the Lone Star Group Two Sires Stakes Three Year Old Trotters Final on 19th May and following that, the Group One $90,000 Northern Trotting Derby on 26th May – both at Alexandra Park. 

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink