Merlin (Art Major) and Cold Chisel (Always B Miki) give northern trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan a strong hand in two of the pacing features on Cup Day at Addington on Tuesday.
Merlin draws eight in the TAB Junior Free For All just inside arch-rival Donāt Stop Dreaming, (Bettorās Delight) and after having no luck in the running at his last start at Addington he stormed home for third.
Merlin was at the Cup Trials on Wednesday and finished out his heat strongly.
Driver Zac Butcher was also impressed with Merlinās trial.
Merlin draws barrier eight in Tuesdayās Group Three feature with Donāt Stop Dreaming on his outside.
And Phelan said the four year old is ready to go.
In form Cold Chisel (Always B Miki) which lines up in the Woodlands Stud Sires Stakes Final should start as one of the favourites after winning his last two starts impressively.
And Cold Chisel was at the Cup Trials on Wednesday.
Phelan labelled Cold Chisel as the stables best bet on Cup Day.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink