Merlin Dominant In Cambridge Flying Stakes

Merlin (NZ) (Art Major) bounced back to winning form at Cambridge Raceway last Friday when victorious in the Group Three Cambridge Pacers Flying Stakes (2200m). 

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained entire has a strong association with the Waikato track, having now won five and placed in two of his seven starts at the venue, including the $1 million The Race by Grins (2200m), which looms as another key target in the coming months.

The 2026 running of the Flying Stakes attracted just a quartet of runners and it proved to be a tactical affair, with driver Zachary Butcher holding the cards throughout after he captured an early lead after burning off the gate with Merlin. He was never headed and ran out to a one length victory over Akuta (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).

“When you have got the horse power underneath you it makes it a lot easier,” Butcher said. “He came off the gate like his bum was on fire, he relaxed in front and when I asked him to go he was super.

“In a four-horse race you have got to take matters into your own hands and try and win the race at the start. We got to dictate terms, we sprinted at the corner and he was a monster at the line.

“It is the best he has felt in a while, which is very encouraging.”

With the victory, Merlin extended his tally to 24 wins and 17 placings from 49 starts, with earnings nearing $1.8 million.

Bred by Taffy Ltd, Merlin is out of unraced Bettor’s Delight mare Imaginary Bet, the daughter of Group One performer Imagine Me. She has been a prolific producer, also being the dam of Group One winner Captain Mistress and stakes performer Gemma Mac.

Merlin was offered through Broadfield Lodge’s 2021 New Zealand Standardbred National Yearling Sale at Christchurch where he was purchased by Dean Shannon, under his Montana Park banner, for $120,000.