Merlin (NZ) Masterful in Group Two NZB Airfreight Ashburton Flying Stakes

Merlin (NZ) (Art Major) produced the best possible Group One New Zealand Cup (3200m) trial with his strong win in the $60,000 Group Two NZB Airfreight Ashburton Flying Stakes (2400m) on Monday.

The brilliant pacer prevailed in yet another epic battle with his arch-rival and fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).

The pair went stride for stride at the top of the Ashburton straight before Merlin gained the upper hand to win for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan and driver Zachary Butcher.

Butcher had to make a split decision to let Don’t Stop Dreaming and Blair Orange take the lead with a lap to go and in doing so he had faith that Merlin could outsprint his arch-rival.

“Blair came around with a bit of authority and he’s a very good horse (Don’t Stop Dreaming),” Butcher said.

“You take the gamble that we could beat him off his back and he was strong to the line, Merlin.”

Butcher allowed Merlin to balance up after he angled into the passing lane, and once he did so the blueblood pacer exploded along the inner.

“When he dropped down, to be fair to Merlin I pulled the hood and he took off again.”
“As everyone knows, he is a horse that only does what he has to, he will never win by three or four lengths, but he gets the job done regardless.”

Merlin is the favourite among New Zealand's Cup hopefuls who are set to clash with Australian superstar Leap To Faith (AUS) (Bettor’s Delight), known to his fans as ‘Larry’.

Butcher and the Merlin team are not taking a backward step as they prepare to take on the all-conquering Australian.

“In racing, that is what you want, the best in Australasia coming here and having a go.”

“To have Larry here on (New Zealand) Cup Day, it is going to be a special one.”
“I am confident, I think I have got the horse to beat him.”

Merlin was purchased by Dean Shannon of Montana Park for $120,000 at the 2021 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch when he was offered by breeder-vendors Taffy Ltd.

Don’t Stop Dreaming showed he is going to be a force in the New Zealand Cup with his excellent second placing behind Merlin.

Alta Meteor (NZ) (Mach Three) took third place behind the two longtime rivals in yet another consistent spring effort in a New Zealand Cup lead-up event.

NZB Standardbred graduates filled the first five placings in the NZB Airfreight Ashburton Flying Stakes with Republican Party (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) fourth and Dalton Shard (NZ) (Always B Miki) fifth.

Vendor	Taffy Ltd
Purchaser	Montana Park
Breeding	Art Major - Imaginary Bet
Sale	Lot 372, National Standardbred Yearling Sale,Christchurch, $120,000
Bred by	Taffy Limited