Merlin a month away

Co-trainer Scott Phelan says high quality harness racing colt Merlin (Art Major) is a month away from the trials.

The three year old last started at Addington on 5^th May running second to Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight).

“He’s had a couple of months off which turned out to be really beneficial. He’s strengthened up a lot, looks great and we’re really looking forward to getting him back,” Phelan who trains in partnership with Barry Purdon said.

The first three year old race in Auckland is the Northern Three Year Old Stakes but unfortunately will be too early for Merlin.

“Depending on the number it would be nice to kick off up here. It wouldn’t be a standing start because he’d be off a horrific mark. In the perfect world it would be great to have a start or even two up here before he heads south.”

After the Northern Three Year Old Stakes the high end three year old races are in the south, with the Lazarus Stakes on 29^th September, Vero Flying Stakes 13^th October, the Ian Dobson Johnny Globe Stakes 1^st December and the New Zealand Pacing Derby on 10^th December.

“The Derby is the long term goal. After that it’s unlikely he’ll race a hell of a lot in New Zealand because there are no four year old races. So he might find himself travelling across the ditch a few times.”

His connections may look at The $100,000 Four Year Old Bonanza at Melton in early February as an option.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink