Fresh faces on Friday Night Lights

There are a few fresh faces beginning new campaigns at Alexandra Park tomorrow night as harness racing commences it’s run into the big money end of the season.

Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan line up a quality team of six, with trotter Ilsas Son (Majestic Son) looking to make it three from three in Race Four.

“He seems pretty good and will be a chance again if things go his way,” Phelan said.

In form junior driver Harrison Orange continues his association with the eight year old.

“With the junior driver’s (concession) they get half points. He hasn’t got the most ability in the world but he tries hard and he’s on a nice enough mark. It’s good for my partner (Emma Stevens) because she owns half of him (laughter).”

The Purdon/ Phelan stable is sponsoring Race Five and they have two quality two year olds in the nine horse lineup.

I Got Chills (Art Major) is resuming after showing some good form earlier in the season, which included a third in the G1 Young Guns Final. He’s had one workout at Pukekohe which he won nicely, leading into tomorrow night’s race.

“He raced well last time in and he doesn’t need to improve to be competitive. He seems well and will definitely benefit from the run. He’s forward enough for this time of his prep.”

Their second runner, Confederate, (Bettor’s Delight) won on debut last term before finishing second to the classy Cyclone Jordy at his only other start. In his last workout he ran a close third to race night rival Captain Sampson.

“He’s pretty much in the same boat as I Got Chills. He’s just a slightly worse draw than the other fella so he’ll need a bit of luck to win.”

Quality mare Artisan (Art Major) has been in great form over the winter, winning two of her last three starts. She was run down late by Always A Porsche which Diamond Racing are labelling a Derby horse.

“She’s a real honest mare who’s been good for our stable. Hopefully she’ll get a win this week or next because she’s got a date with Captaintreacherous. If she wins this week that’ll be her finished. If she doesn’t, she’s got one more run the following week. A couple of others are coming in fresh whereas she’s rock hard fit and ready to go. She’s our best bet.”

All eyes will be on debutant The Night Agent (Captain Crunch) in Race Eight. The two year old colt is out of six Group One race winning mare The Orange Agent. Twelve of her (The Orange Agent) twenty three wins were at Alexandra Park. The Night Agent, a $220,000 purchase, is unbeaten in two trials and draws nicely at barrier two.

“He’s still a bit green but he’s got plenty of ability and plenty of good blood in his veins which will take him a long way. He’ll be a chance wherever he sits. We do like him. We’ll see how we go this week but we expect to see him in better races.”

Stablemate Blackjack (Bettor’s Delight) also lines up in Race Eight. He was seen making good ground at his last workout at Pukekohe last week.

“He’s an improving horse who isn’t a natural two year old. Every time we’ve taken him off the place and with his work, he’s just kept on improving. I’d just like to see all the two year olds go well and put us into a position to head to the big races down south.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink