Merlin reigns supreme in Australian Group Two

(Its) Merlin (Art Major) was at his magical best when powering to a stunning harness racing victory in the A$100,000 Group Two Australian Light Horse Free-For-All (2300m) on Miracle Mile night.

The New Zealand superstar triumphed for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan in the Menangle feature after an epic homestraight battle with fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Rock N Roll Doo (Rock N Roll Heaven).

Merlin was purchased by Dean Shannon of Montana Park for $120,000 at the 2021 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch when he was offered by breeder-vendors Taffy Ltd.

A stunning 1.53.7 mile rate for the 2300m Australian Light Horse Free-For-All and a sizzling 26.6sec third quarter show just how powerful Merlin’s victory was.

Catch driver Mark Purdon worked the star New Zealander around the field to sit parked with 1000m left to run and it wasn’t long until an incredible amount of pace went into the race.

Despite working harder than many of his rivals, Merlin held off the challenge of his fellow New Zealand bred Rock N Roll Doo after a titanic battle.

MERLIN REPLAY

Scott Phelan was on hand for the brilliant win and was full of praise for his brilliant four-year-old.

“It was a good win, he did plenty of work and Mark had to put him in it,” Phelan said.

“He stuck to his guns and just showed you what a good horse he is.”

Phelan was also thrilled to be able to deliver Merlin’s first win on Australian soil for his Australian owner, Dean Shannon.

“A big congratulations to Dean Shannon, he is a big supporter of our stable and the industry as a whole.”

Merlin and Rock N Roll Doo are set for more epic battles in New Zealand in the coming weeks.

Both horses are confirmed slot holders in the $1,000,000 The Race By Grins at Cambridge on April 12.

The classy pairing will clash with another star from Menangle on Saturday night in Sooner The Bettor (Bettor’s Delight).

Merlin’s stablemate from the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan stable ran a brilliant second in the A$1,000,000 Group One Miracle Mile (1609m).

The NZB Standardbred graduate charged out of the pack to only just miss behind the Australian champion Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) in the famous sprint race.

Sooner The Bettor is also a confirmed starter in the $1,000,000 The Race By Grins.

Fellow NZ Standardbred graduate Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) closed off well after being last at the 600m to run a creditable fifth in the Miracle Mile.

For complete race results, click here.

From NZB Standardbred