Butcher conjures wizardry aboard unbeaten Merlin

Barrier eight and the malfunctioning of gear were not enough to see the unbeaten streak of Merlin (Art Major) end in tonight’s (Sep. 29) harness racing action at Cambridge Raceway.

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained pacer was simply awesome in winning the first North Island heat of the Woodlands Sires Stakes for two-year-old males.

Under the guise of an ice cool Zachary Butcher drive, the big striding son of Art Major made a massive statement as he prepares to head south for lucrative final to be held on Cup Day.

Merlin has shown throughout his six unbeaten appearances he is the best North Island juvenile. I want to say by some margin, but the manner in which Merlin has always done just enough in winning has probably tempered some of the hype you would expect of a horse with his credentials.

Tonight’s win should remove any doubt over this juvenile being the real deal and with it becomes the North Island’s best hope of winning the Cup Day feature since Sir Lincoln upset them back in 2009.

Taken back from his wide draw by Butcher, Merlin was patiently handled while the well fancied Son Of Mac (American Ideal) broke stride while jostling for position up front as they entered the first turn.

The Ray Green trained Frankie Major (Art Major) was adopting similar tactics that saw him push Merlin close in his last start, setting a hot pace up front with an uncontested lead for the majority of the 1700m journey.

With race times not available throughout the running of the race, it was hard to know how quick the juveniles were travelling and with Butcher and Merlin sitting second last at the 400m, backers of the odds-on favourite would be forgiven for showing some concern.

Rounding for home Butcher had the unbeaten Merlin five wide and stalking his opposition. From there he delivered an undeniable finishing burst to get over the top of a game Seve (Vincent) and Miki Shan (Always B Miki), both of whom were excellent in defeat.

MERLIN REPLAY

The 1700m journey was run in a sizzling 2:01.2 with a last mile rate of 1.54.7, the last half in 56.8 and the last quarter in a sharp 27.1.

Upon returning for the judges call, the win of Merlin became all the more remarkable when it was found the colt still had his removable hood intact.

Replays show a desperate Butcher trying to activate the gear turning for home, before realising the issue was not going to be easily solved and putting his full attention to driving out his charge as best he could.

Speaking to Track Chat’s Jo Stevens, after the race Butcher was full of praise for the talented pacer.

“I don’t know how much we won by; I thought I had won it easy enough. But I couldn’t get the hood off which was panic stations because he will give you a wee bit more when you whip that off,” said Butcher

“But it was a very good effort to pick them up from where he came from, and I’m really really happy with that run,” he exclaimed.

It left the others with little excuses and little doubt as to how special this pacer might just be.

For complete race fields, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink