Clevedon harness racing trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan will take some major horsepower to Alexandra Park tomorrow night with the Group One New Zealand Messenger and Young Guns Final as the stableās main targets.
The stable begins itās run in the feature races in Race Three with two starters in heat two of the IRT Young Guns Two Year Old Trotters Series.
The nicely bred Higher Power (Father Patrick) led all the way in the first heat of the series, winning easily by two and a half lengths. The full brother to High Energy (8) and High Step (4) gets a good draw at three to lead from the gate if he wants to.
The stableās second runner Meant To Be, (Father Patrick) finished second to his stablemate on debut but was later disqualified after galloping out of the gate. Heāll start from the outside in tomorrowās race.
The fourth heat of the Magness Benrow Siresā Stake Three Year Old Fillies Series sees two Purdon-Phelan runners contesting the 1700 metre mobile.
Ultimate Racey Girl (Ultimate Machete) draws gate five. Sheās won or has been placed in ten of her thirteen starts so is ultra consistent. Scott will drive.
Duchess Megxit (Sweet Lou) appears to be the stableās best chance in this race but with the favourite All You Need Is Me (Captaintreacherous) drawing one sheāll need to bring all her talent to win.
The Group One $110,000 Dawson Harford New Zealand Messenger draws a talented field and Ā Merlin (Art Major) and Mach Shard (Mach Three) wear the stable colours in the pacing feature.
Merlin gets the better draw at three and was game in the Taylor Mile last Friday finishing third. The 2700 metres should suit the four year old whoās looking to get his third Group One.
Mach Shard blew his opposition off the racetrack last week with a barnstorming run, beating all of tomorrow nightās rivals.
The question is, can he repeat the long odds win over the longer distance?
Purdon and Phelan have two starters in the Group One Breckon Farms Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes. Youretheonethatiwant (Captaintreacherous) will attempt to become the first filly to win the Young Guns. She draws gate seven.
Their second runner I Got Chills (Art Major) has consistent form on the board, but has got a sticky draw on the outside of the front row.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink