Merlin takes out top gong at NI awards

Merlin (Art Major), the joint second favourite for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup, has taken out the big prize at the 2023 North Island harness racing awards at Cambridge Raceway.

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained four-year-old won five of 10 races during the year and $360,808 in stakes including the Garrards New Zealand Derby, the Northern Derby, and the NZB Standardbred Harness Million.

Merlin is a $6 joint second favourite with Don’t Stop Dreaming for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 12. Superstar Australian Leap To Fame, who secured his 43rd career win at Albion Park in Brisbane over the weekend, is an overwhelming favourite at $1.70.

The Purdon-Phelan combo was also named Trainer of the Year and Merlin’s regular pilot Zachary Butcher was named Driver of the Year. He had 61 wins in 2023 with stakes of just over $1.5m.

Stable employees Crystal Hackett and Harrison Orange were also winners on the night. Hackett took out North Island Cadet of the Year as well as winning an achievement award and being voted the top junior driver, while Orange was awarded most promising cadet.

Other awards of note included Dylan Ferguson taking home the North Island Racing Achievement Award.

Harness Racing New Zealand North Island Cadet of the Year – Crystal Hackett
Diamond Racing stables North Island Groom of the Year – Amy Poutama
North Island Owner/Trainer of the year – Murray Gibbs
Auckland Trotting Club North Island Owners of the Year 2023 – Stonewall Stud
Auckland Trotting Club North Island Breeder of the Year 2023 – Woodlands Stud
North Island Amateur Driver of the Year – Michelle Northcott
HRNZ North Island Junior Driver of the Year 2023 – Crystal Hackett
Diamond Racing Stables North Island Driver of the Year 2023 – Zachary Butcher
North Island Trainer of the Year – Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan
Stonewall Stud & Stables North Island Broodmare 2023 – Steel The Light
Woodlands Stud North Island Stallion 2023 – Bettor’s Delight
Woodlands Stud North Island 2YO Pacer 2023 – Coastal Babe
Ken McGrath & Melanie Barker North Island 2YO Trotter 2023 – Paramount Kiwi
Breckon Farms North Island 3YO Pacer – Merlin
Breckon Farms North Island 3YO Trotter – Lovemeto
Stonewall Stud & Stables North Island 4YO and older pacer 2023 – Copy That
Ken McGrath & Melanie Barker North Island 4YO and older Trotter – Resolve
North Island Female Racing Accomplishment – Crystal Hackett
North Island Racing Achievement – Dylan Ferguson
North Island Dedication and Appreciation Award – Dave Branch
North Island Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing – Rob Lawson
North Island Filly/mare of the year – Lady Of The Light

North Island NZB Airfreight Horse of the Year 2023 – Merlin

The awards were held at Cambridge Raceway and brought together by a team that included Gayleen MacKinnon, Jo Ferguson, Dave Branch and the Cambridge team, and photographer Angelique Bridson.

The organisers would also like to thank their sponsors whose support meant the ticket prices could be set at $25 which included dinner and a drink on arrival.

From Harness Racing New Zealand