Purdon-Phelan big day out

Clevedon trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan have some strong chances for Monday’s Flying Stakes Day at Ashburton as their harness racing team gets fine-tuned for some big assignments on Cup Day and Show Day at Addington in just over two weeks.

Confederate (Bettor’s Delight) steps out in the $30,000 Woodlands Stud Two Year Old Colts and Geldings Sires Stakes Heat.

His form has been solid and although he gets a second line draw, he follows out Got The Chocolates who is likely to lead and not hand up.

“That will help his chances a lot, but he needs to step up a bit to be competitive. He’ll get his chance on Monday,” Scott said.

Ultimate Racey Girl (Ultimate Machete) will run in the $30,000 Nevele R Fillies Series Heat.

She’s drawn barrier one but with gate speed on her outside she could be crossed early.

“She was a wee bit disappointing last time so she’ll need to step up again to figure in the finish. But there’s no reason why she can’t, she seems well enough.”

The pair have three runners in the $30,000 Dunstan Horse Feeds Two Year Old Fillies Sires Stakes Heat.

Im Sandra Dee (Always B Miki) has drawn the outside of the front row, Won And Only (Captaintreacherous) has barrier thirteen and likely favourite Youretheonethatiwant (Captaintreacherous) has the outside of the second row in the thirteen horse field.

Im Sandra Dee raced without cover at her last start, finishing a brave third behind Winelight and Without You.

“She puts in every start. It’s not the easiest of draws this week.”

Won And Only battled home for seventh at her last start.

“It was a bit of a sprint home which probably didn’t suit her and she needed a front row draw on Monday to put herself in it.”

Youretheonethatiwant, the winner of four of her five starts, faces her biggest test to date on Monday. This will be her first start left handed and she’s not favoured by the draw.

“She’s a quality filly and has already qualified for the final so there’s no panicking. We’ll see what sort of run we get but she’ll go good no matter where she is in the running.”

In the $50,000 Listed Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes Sophomore Classic the Purdon/Phelan team lines up Jeremiah (Lazarus) and Better Knuckle Up (Bettor’s Delight).

Jeremiah has shown how tough he is this campaign, racing against good rating horses. This will be the gelding’s first start this campaign against his own age group.

“He’s a nice horse with an average draw. He can make his own luck but his best weapon is his speed.”

Better Knuckle Up last started in the Group One Flying Stakes. He had a gallop at the 800, he regained his gait but was posted three wide for the remainder of the race. He fought hard in the straight and was only 3.7 lengths from winner Chase A Dream and was still coming at the finish. He draws the outside of the front line and Zachary Butcher takes the drive.

Mach Shard (Mach Three), Cold Chisel (Always B Miki) and Merlin (Art Major) take their place in the $60,000 Group Two NZB Airfreight Ashburton Flying Stakes.

Mach Shard has drawn the inside marble for the 2400 metre stand event.

“He’s generally pretty sensible. I guess we’ll find out.”

He’s won six of his one hundred and eleven starts from the stand but is yet to win racing left handed in New Zealand.

Cold Chisel locked wheels at his last start and sustained a flat tyre.

“The tyre wrapped itself around the axle so that was his game over.”

Throughout his career he’s primarily raced against his own age group so Monday will be his first test in open company.

“He seems good but we know it’s a step up. The key to being a good chance in these races for him is having a good tempo.”

He’s had just one start from the stand.

“He was pretty good. He wasn’t that quick away but he was safe, so we’ll be looking for something pretty similar on Monday.”

Merlin will be suited by the big Ashburton circuit. He’s in great nick and ready for his South Island debut this campaign.

“He hasn’t raced since the 4^th. We took him to Addington last week and gave him a hit out, he seems really good. It’s not a bad draw (8). You’re out of the hustle and bustle. If we win it we’ll be rapt but as long as we go a good race we’ll be happy.”

After Monday Phelan says Sooner The Bettor will head to Kaikoura for the Listed $50,000 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales Series Handicap Pace.

“He got a pass mark the other night. He ducked down on the inside and got a bit lost. He did it to us in the three year old race on the same night last year. He shouldn’t be doing it because he’s had enough racing.”

Mach Shard will also head to Kaikoura and start in the $60,000 Group Two Alabar Kaikoura Cup while Merlin is likely to go straight into the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup after Monday’s race.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink