Merlin Peaking For NZ Trotting Cup

Multiple Group One winner Merlin (NZ) (Art Major) has put himself firmly back into Group One New Zealand Trotting Cup (3200m) calculations after winning the 100th edition of the Group Two Kaikoura Cup (2400m) on Monday. 

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained entire settled towards the rear of the field where he was put to sleep by driver Zachary Butcher before he asked him to improve when heading into the back straight for the final time.
The five-year-old quickly swept around the field to sit outside leader Akuta (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), and while the Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained gelding found a kick at the top of the home straight, Merlin quickly responded and found the lead with 100m to go, and ran out a half-length victor.
Butcher was duly impressed with Merlin’s performance.
“What a run,” he said. “I know how hard it can be around Kaikoura. We burnt down the back and Mark (Purdon, driver of Akuta) shot away from me at the top of the straight (on Akuta) but I always had a handful of horse.

“I was thinking ‘time your run, don’t go too early.’ It’s too hard to pick them up when you’re going wide around that last bend so I wanted to get close to Mark when I could. He stuck to his guns and he was just outside the record.
“To get this one today for Barry, Scott and Dean (Shannon, owner) is pretty special.”
Barry Purdon was pleased to see Merlin get a confidence-boosting victory leading into next Tuesday’s New Zealand Trotting Cup, for which he is now a $14 equal fifth favourite.

“We needed to stand up today and put ourselves in the picture for next Tuesday and he did that, that’s for sure,” he said.
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.
He has gone on to win half of his 44 career starts, including three at Group One level, and he has amassed more than $1.6 million in prizemoney to date.