Alexandra Park Race 8

TAB-THE HOLMES DG HANDICAP PACE

Prize Money: -

MERLIN (9) will be fitter for an encouraging fresh effort to place from this handicap. Flies second-up with four wins and a placing from five starts so improvement is likely and he is suited stepping up to a distance where he has won two of three attempts. SOONER THE BETTOR (1) has returned in fine form, winning both starts here since a spell. Yet to win at this longer distance so that is a query but a favourable staring position gives him every chance to land the hat trick. There has been merit in all three starts of BETTER KNUCKLE UP (3) this time in. He'll be nearing peak fitness now so could be ready to strike. JOLIMONT (8) hasn't been far from the placings so far this campaign and is a two-time third-up winner so must be respected.

Distance: 2700m
Class: DiscrHcp PAC
Track: Good
Weather: Showery
Surface: All Weather

Sooner The Bettor (Fr1) 72x11
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Harrison Orange (J)
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 19% / 67%

5 yo Brown Horse

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: Lucky Pocket

Dam's Sire: In The Pocket

Rating

Stats

Career

46: 9-15-7

Distance

5: 0-0-1

Trk/Dst

2: 0-0-1

Track

22: 7-7-4

Season

2: 2-0-0

1st Up

5: 4-1-0

2nd Up

5: 2-0-2

3rd Up

4: 1-0-1

Metro

29: 7-10-5

Non-Metro

17: 2-5-2

Mobile

38: 6-14-5

Standing

8: 3-1-2

All-Weather

39: 9-15-7

Slushy

2: 0-2-0

Best Mile

1:53.50

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Remained unbeaten this campaign with gallant 19 Sept win. Danger to stablemate.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr5	Harrison Orange	2:45.6	2:01.1	1.3m	$4.10	14	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin
1st of 5	5/9/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Harrison Orange	2:04.0	1:57.4	0.5m	$3.50	126	R72 to R87 MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Better Knuckle Up 3. Jeremiah
126 Day Spell
2nd of 9	2/5/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr2	Scott Phelan	1:58.4	1:58.4	4.0m	$9.90	21	DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Republican Party 2. Sooner The Bettor 3. We Walk By Faith
7th of 8	11/4/25	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Scott Phelan	1:51.6	1:51.6	14.0m	$20	14	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. We Walk By Faith 2. Republican Party 3. Rakero Rocket
5th of 10	28/3/25	WaikBoP	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Scott Phelan	1:51.4	1:51.4	10.5m	$6.30	7	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Chase A Dream 2. Merlin 3. Pinseeker
8th of 12	21/3/25	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr10	Scott Phelan	1:54.5	1:54.5	16.7m	$15	13	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Don't Stop Dreaming 2. Mo'unga 3. Little Spike

Little Spike (Fr2) 932x6
Trainer: Arna Donnelly (Cambridge)
Driver: Andre Poutama
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 26% / 43%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Terror To Love

Dam: Key Operator

Dam's Sire: Armbro Operative

Rating

Stats

Career

23: 6-1-3

Distance

4: 1-1-0

Trk/Dst

2: 0-0-0

Track

12: 2-0-3

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

4: 1-0-1

2nd Up

3: 1-0-1

3rd Up

3: 1-0-0

Metro

12: 2-0-3

Non-Metro

11: 4-1-0

Mobile

20: 5-0-3

Standing

3: 1-1-0

All-Weather

23: 6-1-3

Best Mile

1:56.60

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Tidy first-up effort 2 weeks ago here. Winner at this trip and multiples option.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr1	Andre Poutama	2:01.1	2:01.1	10.8m	$31	127	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin
127 Day Spell
2nd of 10	15/5/25	WaikBoP	2700m	Standing	All Weather	30m2	Zachary Butcher	2:01.9	2:01.9	5.6m	$3.00	13	R45 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. The Surfer 2. Little Spike 3. Matai Phil
3rd of 5	2/5/25	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Crystal Hackett	1:59.9	1:59.9	10.5m	$2.00	7	R55 to R73 MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Jeremiah 2. The Surfer 3. Little Spike
9th of 10	25/4/25	Auckland	2700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Crystal Hackett	1:58.4	1:58.4	53.8m	$61	14	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Republican Party 2. Mo'unga 3. Don't Stop Dreaming
6th of 8	11/4/25	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Crystal Hackett	1:51.6	1:51.6	13.4m	$31	14	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. We Walk By Faith 2. Republican Party 3. Rakero Rocket
10th of 10	28/3/25	WaikBoP	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Crystal Hackett	1:51.4	1:51.4	390.1m	$19	7	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Chase A Dream 2. Merlin 3. Pinseeker

Better Knuckle Up (Fr3) 3x325
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Crystal Hackett (J)
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 27% / 59%

Track Specialist

Nearing Another Win

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: Bare Knuckle

Dam's Sire: Raging Bull

Rating

Stats

Career

22: 6-2-5

Distance

1: 0-0-0

Track

15: 5-2-3

Season

3: 0-1-1

1st Up

6: 3-0-1

2nd Up

5: 2-1-2

3rd Up

4: 0-1-0

Metro

18: 5-2-4

Non-Metro

4: 1-0-1

Mobile

21: 6-2-5

Standing

1: 0-0-0

All-Weather

19: 6-2-5

Best Mile

1:53.30

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Has come back in fine fettle and looks capable of causing an upset with a trip.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
5th of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr4	Crystal Hackett	2:01.1	2:01.1	10.0m	$7.20	14	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin
2nd of 5	5/9/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Crystal Hackett	1:57.4	1:57.4	0.5m	$4.30	14	R72 to R87 MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Better Knuckle Up 3. Jeremiah
3rd of 4	22/8/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Crystal Hackett	1:59.9	1:59.9	5.4m	$4.50	167	R67 & faster MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Akuta 2. Jeremiah 3. Better Knuckle Up
167 Day Spell
3rd of 10	8/3/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Gavin Fitzpatrick	1:49.20	1:49.2	5.0m	$6.00	7	NR up to 90	$25,000	$2,750	1. Dashing 2. Our Luciano 3. Better Knuckle Up
7th of 10	1/3/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Gavin Fitzpatrick	1:49.10	1:49.1	9.3m	$23	14	No NR	$250,000	$3,750	1. Bay Of Biscay 2. Charge Ahead 3. Major Hot
4th of 10	15/2/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Gavin Fitzpatrick	1:49.80	1:49.8	10.8m	$5.00	57	No NR	$50,000	$3,000	1. Bay Of Biscay 2. War Dan Buddy 3. Major Hot
57 Day Freshen-Up

Cold Chisel (Fr4) 208x9
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Tony Herlihy
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 30% / 75%

Track Specialist

4 yo Bay Horse

Sire: Always B Miki

Dam: Shezaball

Dam's Sire: Presidential Ball

Rating

Stats

Career

20: 6-5-4

Distance

2: 1-1-0

Trk/Dst

2: 1-1-0

Track

10: 4-5-0

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

5: 0-2-1

2nd Up

4: 2-2-0

3rd Up

4: 3-0-0

Metro

10: 4-5-0

Non-Metro

10: 2-0-4

Mobile

17: 6-4-4

Standing

3: 0-1-0

All-Weather

20: 6-5-4

Slushy

1: 0-1-0

Best Mile

1:54.80

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Things didn't pan out resuming, 19 Sept. Will strip fitter and can't be ignored.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
9th of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr3	Tony Herlihy	2:01.1	2:01.1	15.6m	$25	326	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin
326 Day Spell
8th of 12	28/10/24	Ashburton	2400m	Standing	All Weather	Fr7	Tony Herlihy	1:57.0	1:57.0	26.6m	$15	17	3YO+ FFA PACE	-	-	1. Merlin 2. Don't Stop Dreaming 3. Alta Meteor
11th of 13	11/10/24	NZ Metro	1980m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr8	Zachary Butcher	1:54.3	1:54.3	25.0m	$3.00	7	3YO MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Chase A Dream 2. It's Tough 3. Hadron Collider
2nd of 8	4/10/24	Auckland	2700m	Standing	All Weather	Fr2	Tony Herlihy	1:58.0	1:58.0	5.4m	$6.30	13	3YO+ R65 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Merlin 2. Cold Chisel 3. Sooner The Bettor
2nd of 7	21/9/24	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Zachary Butcher	1:56.1	1:56.1	1.6m	$4.00f	134	3YO MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Mako 2. Cold Chisel 3. Better Knuckle Up
134 Day Spell
3rd of 9	10/5/24	NZ Metro	1980m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Zachary Butcher	1:55.9	1:55.9	1.6m	$3.10	7	3YO C&G MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Chase A Dream 2. We Walk By Faith 3. Cold Chisel

Lady Of The Light (Fr5) 07x58
Trainer: Jeremy Young (Pukekohe)
Driver: Maurice McKendry
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 23% / 54%

6 yo Bay Mare

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: Steel The Light

Dam's Sire: Falcon Seelster

Rating

Stats

Career

46: 11-7-7

Distance

8: 0-2-0

Trk/Dst

4: 0-2-0

Track

34: 10-4-7

Season

2: 0-0-0

1st Up

5: 1-0-2

2nd Up

5: 2-0-1

3rd Up

4: 2-0-0

Metro

34: 10-4-7

Non-Metro

12: 1-3-0

Mobile

36: 11-6-5

Standing

10: 0-1-2

All-Weather

46: 11-7-7

Slushy

1: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:54.80

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Couldn't quicken behind #1 2nd up and will need more to threaten this field.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
8th of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr2	Maurice McKendry	2:01.1	2:01.1	15.3m	$62	21	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin
5th of 6	29/8/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	20m1	Maurice McKendry	2:00.3	2:00.3	14.5m	$4.50	232	3YO+ R51 to R73 DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Mantra Blue 2. Semba 3. Beta Prepare
232 Day Spell
7th of 8	9/1/25	WaikBoP	2700m	Standing	All Weather	20m1	Sailesh Abernethy	2:02.8	2:02.8	18.3m	$7.00	9	R52 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Miki Shan 2. The Surfer 3. Skipper
11th of 12	31/12/24	Auckland	3200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr8	Tony Herlihy	2:00.7	2:00.7	37.7m	$53	11	FFA PACE	-	-	1. Republican Party 2. Merlin 3. Sooner The Bettor
10th of 11	20/12/24	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr10	Monika Ranger	1:54.9	1:54.9	14.5m	$19	7	4YO+ R63 to R99 MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Jolimont 2. Sooner The Bettor 3. Kango
5th of 11	13/12/24	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Maurice McKendry	1:57.9	1:57.9	11.8m	$8.20	7	3YO+ F&M FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Duchess Megxit 2. Princess Meritaten 3. Treacherous Gall

The Surfer (Fr7) 12452
Trainer: Arna Donnelly (Cambridge)
Driver: David Butcher
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 21% / 50%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Downbytheseaside

Dam: Styx On

Dam's Sire: Art Major

100

Rating

Stats

Career

32: 7-7-2

Distance

4: 1-1-1

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

17: 2-4-1

Season

3: 0-1-0

1st Up

5: 1-1-0

2nd Up

5: 2-1-1

3rd Up

4: 0-1-1

Metro

17: 2-4-1

Non-Metro

15: 5-3-1

Mobile

26: 5-4-1

Standing

6: 2-3-1

All-Weather

32: 7-7-2

Slushy

2: 1-1-0

Best Mile

1:56.90

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Got under the punters guard with his 2nd, 19 Sept. Gives his all and in the mix.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr8	Carter Dalgety	2:01.1	2:01.1	1.3m	$29	14	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin
5th of 5	5/9/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Tony Herlihy	1:57.4	1:57.4	5.4m	$19	14	R72 to R87 MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Better Knuckle Up 3. Jeremiah
4th of 4	22/8/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Samantha Ottley	1:59.9	1:59.9	9.1m	$12	91	R67 & faster MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Akuta 2. Jeremiah 3. Better Knuckle Up
91 Day Spell
2nd of 16	23/5/25	NZ Metro	3200m	Standing	All Weather	10m2	Bob Butt	2:00.4	2:00.4	3.8m	$9.50	8	R50 to R120 SpecHcp PACE	-	-	1. Betterthancash 2. The Surfer 3. Pinseeker
1st of 10	15/5/25	WaikBoP	2700m	Standing	All Weather	30m1	David Butcher	3:24.6	2:01.9	5.6m	$4.90	13	R45 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. The Surfer 2. Little Spike 3. Matai Phil
2nd of 5	2/5/25	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Bob Butt	1:59.9	1:59.9	4.0m	$8.90	7	R55 to R73 MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Jeremiah 2. The Surfer 3. Little Spike

Jolimont (FrU1) 67x44
Trainer: Arna Donnelly (Cambridge)
Driver: James Stormont
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 26% / 44%

2nd Up Record

5 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: Sweet Lou

Dam: Running On Faith

Dam's Sire: Soky's Atom

Rating

Stats

Career

38: 10-5-2

Distance

9: 2-0-1

Trk/Dst

6: 1-0-1

Track

25: 8-1-1

Season

2: 0-0-0

1st Up

6: 2-2-0

2nd Up

6: 3-0-0

3rd Up

5: 2-1-0

Metro

25: 8-1-1

Non-Metro

13: 2-4-1

Mobile

29: 8-5-1

Standing

9: 2-0-1

All-Weather

38: 10-5-2

Slushy

5: 1-2-0

Best Mile

1:52.50

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Two strong runs this campaign and building nicely. Needed on all combo tickets.

Expected Settling Position: Off Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr1	James Stormont	2:01.1	2:01.1	8.3m	$12	14	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin
4th of 5	5/9/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	James Stormont	1:57.4	1:57.4	2.2m	$13	126	R72 to R87 MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Better Knuckle Up 3. Jeremiah
126 Day Spell
7th of 9	2/5/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr3	David Butcher	1:58.4	1:58.4	11.3m	$17	7	DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Republican Party 2. Sooner The Bettor 3. We Walk By Faith
6th of 10	25/4/25	Auckland	2700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	David Butcher	1:58.4	1:58.4	11.0m	$57	14	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Republican Party 2. Mo'unga 3. Don't Stop Dreaming
8th of 8	11/4/25	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Tony Herlihy	1:51.6	1:51.6	24.7m	$8.20	21	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. We Walk By Faith 2. Republican Party 3. Rakero Rocket
11th of 12	21/3/25	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Tony Herlihy	1:54.5	1:54.5	35.0m	$15	7	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Don't Stop Dreaming 2. Mo'unga 3. Little Spike

Merlin (20m 1) 234x3
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Zachary Butcher
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 51% / 85%

Track Specialist

5 yo Bay Horse

Sire: Art Major

Dam: Imaginary Bet

Dam's Sire: Bettor's Delight

100

Rating

Stats

Career

41: 21-7-7

Distance

6: 3-0-0

Trk/Dst

3: 2-0-0

Track

17: 10-2-3

Season

1: 0-0-1

1st Up

6: 2-2-2

2nd Up

5: 4-0-1

3rd Up

5: 4-0-1

Metro

22: 11-4-3

Non-Metro

19: 10-3-4

Mobile

35: 19-5-6

Standing

6: 2-2-1

All-Weather

36: 20-7-7

Best Mile

1:52.10

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Began fast resuming here and will be much improved. Looking to bomb them late.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	20m1	Zachary Butcher	2:01.1	2:01.1	7.0m	$2.30	161	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin
161 Day Spell
4th of 8	11/4/25	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr8	Zachary Butcher	1:51.6	1:51.6	10.8m	$2.60	7	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. We Walk By Faith 2. Republican Party 3. Rakero Rocket
3rd of 10	4/4/25	WaikBoP	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Zachary Butcher	1:52.3	1:52.3	11.6m	$12	7	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Leap To Fame 2. Chase A Dream 3. Merlin
2nd of 10	28/3/25	WaikBoP	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr11	Zachary Butcher	1:51.4	1:51.4	5.4m	$2.20f	27	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Chase A Dream 2. Merlin 3. Pinseeker
6th of 10	1/3/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Zachary Butcher	1:48.60	1:48.6	11.8m	$3.10f	7	No NR	$100,000	$1,500	1. Swayzee 2. Tact McLeod 3. Captain Ravishing
2nd of 8	22/2/25	Menangle	2300m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Gavin Fitzpatrick	2:41.20	1:52.8	1.2m	$2.60	53	No NR	$20,400	$3,400	1. Don Hugo 2. Merlin 3. Speak The Truth, Terry
53 Day Freshen-Up