Lofty goals ahead for winner of six from six

Clevedon harness racing trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan are about to give star northern two year old Merlin (Art Major) some lofty goals.

Unbeaten in six starts the colt has truly earned a chance to take on some of the South’s good two year olds. 

MERLIN REPLAY

“There’s a Sire Stakes race for him in two weeks at Cambridge then after that he’ll head south for the Harness Millions on the 14th of October. After that all the races are down there until December. He’s beaten everything up here so deserves his chance. Mark’s (Purdon) got a couple of nice ones. Hopefully we go into those races with a picket fence formline,” Phelan said.

For complete Alexandra Park race results, click here.

The training partnership also has ambitious plans for debut winner Advance Party (Bettor’s Delight) who’s aimed at next Friday’s (Sep. 23) Group One Woodlands Stud Caduceus Club Fillies Classic at Alexandra Park.

“She’s come through her races really well. She’ll trial on Friday (today) then go to the races the following Friday.”

Phelan said the Bettor’s Delight filly came north from Katrina and John Price’s Winton stable with a good rap. 

“Once I’d worked her a few times I backed their thoughts up pretty quickly. After one trial she was good and after the next her work was even better, and it’s continued on the same path since.”

Phelan said the Group One $150,000 Sires Stakes Fillies Championship at Addington on November 11th and the Group One $100,000 Two Year Old Diamond at the same venue on 2nd December, are two long term targets for the Bettor’s Delight filly.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink