Merlin will miss the Victoria Cup this year

Exciting New Zealand pacer Merlin (Art Major) is set to bypass this year’s Victoria Cup instead opting to chase hometown harness racing success.

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained four-year-old will miss the October 12 Grand Circuit classic to focus on the New Zealand Cup .

“We won’t be bringing any horses over (to Victoria) at least not this year,” Barry Purdon said. “Merlin will focus on the New Zealand Cup.

“It use to be Vic Cup and Hunter Cup use to both be in February, it’s a bit broken up and there is one race here and another there. It is a long way to come for just one race.”

The New Zealand Cup is schedule for November 12 with fellow Victorian the Jess Tubbs-prepared Better Eclipse also eyeing off a cup tilt.

Purdon,69, is no stranger to claiming the Grand Circuit classic. The New Zealand horseman took out the 1999 edition of the race with Holmes D G as a trainer-driver.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria