Merlin wins $135,000 Northern Derby

Favourite Merlin’s (Art Major) win in the $135,000 Group One Woodlands Stud Northern Derby broke a twenty three year drought for master harness racing trainer Barry Purdon who trains in partnership with Scott Phelan.

“It’s taken a long time to get another one (laughter),” Purdon said.

The win by the three year old colt was a first Northern Derby for Phelan and the horse’s driver Zachery Butcher.

“It was very exciting getting my first Derby. It’s taken a few years,” Butcher told Nicole Sims from Trackside.

Butcher was complimentary of his rival Tony Herlihy’s drive for second on Son Of Mac (American Ideal).

“It was a great drive from Tony to get through, and I had to make the decision to either lock him (in) or hand to him and thankfully I made the right decision.”

Throughout his career Merlin’s wins have never been by a great margin. Tonight was no different and the finish provided Purdon with an interesting watch fifty metres past the winning post.

“He drove through and I thought he was going to win easily but Son Of Mac did come back at him. Zac seemed to think that he knocked off more than anything. Anyway, all you can do is win and he doesn’t seem to win by a lot.” 

Barry has now won the Northern Derby eight times with his other wins being Matai Mackenzie (2000), Holmes DG (1997), Ginger Man (1994), Hitchcock (1993), Sogo (1991), Christopher Vance (1990) and Godfrey (1988).

MERLIN REPLAY

Merlin’s winning time was 3-18.2. The race record is held by Chase Auckland (Auckland Reactor). His time of 3-16.8 is also a New Zealand record.

So what’s next for Merlin?

“There’s a Sires Stakes on the 6th of April (Cambridge) and we’ll also try and get him ready for the Queensland Derby in July.”

Bred by Todd and Fleur Anderson of Southland, Merlin was purchased for $120,000 by Australian Dean Shannon.

“He’s a fantastic man. All he wants is to do the right thing for the horse. Nothing else matters,” Purdon said.

When asked about spring and summer targets for the talented pacer Purdon said he’s not planning too far ahead. 

“We don’t want to go to the well too many times when it’s a full year of racing.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink