Merlin heads South

Star harness racing three year old Merlin (Art Major) is heading to Christchurch on Saturday (Apr. 29) with two races on his immediate radar.

Trained by Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan, the colt has won eleven of his fourteen starts including the $200,000 NZ Standardbred Harness Million beating arch rival Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) by half a length.

Phelan said Merlin will start in the Garrard’s Sires Stakes Heat on Saturday 5th May before racing in the $90,000 Group One final the following week.

“He’s great and I couldn’t be happier with him. His work’s been good, and he trialed really good last Saturday.” 

Once safely through those assignments, Merlin will be able to take up the spot he’s been offered in the $350,000 Group One The Rising Sun raced in Queensland on the 8th of July.

“As long as the horse is well that’s where we’ll be heading.”

There’ll be added incentive for Merlin with a $100,000 bonus on offer if a three year old wins the race.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink