Alexandra Park Race 9

IRT SPRING CUP HANDICAP PACE

Prize Money: -

MERLIN (10) makes his first appearance since April but has yet to miss a place in five fresh attempts. Finished off last campaign with strong form at the top level, last seen when fourth in the Taylor Mile after his brave third to Leap To Fame in The Race. Not an easy task to overcome the 20m handicap but he owns an impressive strike rate here and has the class edge. SOONER THE BETTOR (5) might have the advantage in terms of fitness having already kicked off his campaign on a winning note. Strikes at 50 per cent when attempting this longer distance here so can go on with it. BETTER KNUCKLE UP (4) could be ready to peak after placing in his two starts since a spell, getting close to SOONER THE BETTOR last time. DUCHESS MEGXIT (7) hasn't missed a place in five tries at this circuit and distance, winning three. Goes well fresh so can play a role.

Distance: 2200m
Class: R60 & faster
Track: Good
Weather: Showery
Surface: All Weather

Little Spike (Fr1) 6932x
Trainer: Arna Donnelly (Cambridge)
Driver: Andre Poutama
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 27% / 45%

Distance Specialist

Nearing Another Win

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Terror To Love

Dam: Key Operator

Dam's Sire: Armbro Operative

Rating

Stats

Career

22: 6-1-3

Distance

11: 5-0-2

Trk/Dst

7: 2-0-2

Track

11: 2-0-3

1st Up

3: 1-0-1

2nd Up

3: 1-0-1

3rd Up

3: 1-0-0

Metro

11: 2-0-3

Non-Metro

11: 4-1-0

Mobile

20: 5-0-3

Standing

2: 1-1-0

All-Weather

22: 6-1-3

Best Mile

1:56.60

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Closed off last campaign with back to back placings. Cheeky hope fresh from ace.

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	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
3rd of 12	21/3/25	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Crystal Hackett	1:54.5	1:54.5	8.3m	$32	7	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Don't Stop Dreaming 2. Mo'unga 3. Little Spike

Lady Of The Light (Fr2) 007x5
Trainer: Jeremy Young (Pukekohe)
Driver: Maurice McKendry
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 24% / 55%

6 yo Bay Mare

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: Steel The Light

Dam's Sire: Falcon Seelster

Rating

Stats

Career

45: 11-7-7

Distance

18: 5-2-5

Trk/Dst

16: 4-2-5

Track

33: 10-4-7

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

5: 1-0-2

2nd Up

4: 2-0-1

3rd Up

4: 2-0-0

Metro

33: 10-4-7

Non-Metro

12: 1-3-0

Mobile

36: 11-6-5

Standing

9: 0-1-2

All-Weather

45: 11-7-7

Slushy

1: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:54.80

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Will have derived plenty of benefit from her first-up run here. Combos include.

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
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
3rd of 9	6/12/24	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Maurice McKendry	1:58.4	1:58.4	3.8m	$2.50f	7	3YO+ F&M FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Princess Meritaten 2. Dance Till Dawn 3. Lady Of The Light

Cold Chisel (Fr3) 2208x
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Tony Herlihy
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 31% / 78%

4 yo Bay Horse

Sire: Always B Miki

Dam: Shezaball

Dam's Sire: Presidential Ball

Rating

Stats

Career

19: 6-5-4

Distance

3: 1-2-0

Trk/Dst

3: 1-2-0

Track

9: 4-5-0

1st Up

4: 0-2-1

2nd Up

4: 2-2-0

3rd Up

4: 3-0-0

Metro

9: 4-5-0

Non-Metro

10: 2-0-4

Mobile

17: 6-4-4

Standing

2: 0-1-0

All-Weather

19: 6-5-4

Slushy

1: 0-1-0

Best Mile

1:54.80

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Off the scene since Odt but multiple Group winner who has yet to miss this track

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 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
3rd of 6	3/5/24	NZ Metro	1980m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	John Morrison	1:56.8	1:56.8	1.1m	$3.50	21	3YO C&G MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Chase A Dream 2. Dreams Are Free 3. Cold Chisel

Better Knuckle Up (Fr4) 73x32
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Crystal Hackett (J)
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 28% / 61%

Track Specialist

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: Bare Knuckle

Dam's Sire: Raging Bull

Rating

Stats

Career

21: 6-2-5

Distance

7: 2-1-1

Trk/Dst

7: 2-1-1

Track

14: 5-2-3

Season

2: 0-1-1

1st Up

6: 3-0-1

2nd Up

5: 2-1-2

3rd Up

3: 0-1-0

Metro

17: 5-2-4

Non-Metro

4: 1-0-1

Mobile

21: 6-2-5

All-Weather

18: 6-2-5

Best Mile

1:53.30

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Two strong placings to start new campaign and should be competitive once again.

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
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
12th of 12	20/12/24	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr12	Crystal Hackett	1:55.0	1:55.0	20.4m	$6.10	14	3YO MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Duchess Megxit 2. Jeremiah 3. Iron Brigade

Sooner The Bettor (Fr5) 572x1
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Harrison Orange (J)
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 17% / 66%

Distance Specialist

1st Up Record

5 yo Brown Horse

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: Lucky Pocket

Dam's Sire: In The Pocket

100

Rating

Stats

Career

45: 8-15-7

Distance

11: 5-4-0

Trk/Dst

8: 4-3-0

Track

21: 6-7-4

Season

1: 1-0-0

1st Up

5: 4-1-0

2nd Up

4: 1-0-2

3rd Up

4: 1-0-1

Metro

28: 6-10-5

Non-Metro

17: 2-5-2

Mobile

38: 6-14-5

Standing

7: 2-1-2

All-Weather

38: 8-15-7

Slushy

2: 0-2-0

Best Mile

1:53.50

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Kicked off new campaign in style winning sprint, 5 Sept. Include in all exotics.

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 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
6th of 8	8/3/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Gavin Fitzpatrick	1:48.40	1:48.4	8.8m	$51	7	No NR	$1,000,000	$40,000	1. Don Hugo 2. Leap To Fame 3. Tact McLeod

Jeremiah (Fr6) x1x23
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Josh Dickie
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 33% / 72%

Track Specialist

4 yo Black Gelding

Sire: Lazarus

Dam: Flyover

Dam's Sire: Live Or Die

100

Rating

Stats

Career

18: 6-4-3

Distance

9: 5-1-2

Trk/Dst

8: 4-1-2

Track

14: 5-3-3

Season

2: 0-1-1

1st Up

5: 3-1-0

2nd Up

3: 1-0-2

3rd Up

2: 1-1-0

Metro

14: 5-3-3

Non-Metro

4: 1-1-0

Mobile

18: 6-4-3

All-Weather

18: 6-4-3

Slushy

1: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:55.20

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Gallant bid just came up short 2nd up here. Loves the trip and great E/W option.

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
3rd of 5	5/9/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Zachary Butcher	1:57.4	1:57.4	1.6m	$1.80	14	R72 to R87 MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Better Knuckle Up 3. Jeremiah
2nd of 4	22/8/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Zachary Butcher	1:59.9	1:59.9	1.9m	$3.80	112	R67 & faster MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Akuta 2. Jeremiah 3. Better Knuckle Up
112 Day Spell
1st of 5	2/5/25	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Zachary Butcher	2:44.0	1:59.9	4.0m	$2.70	133	R55 to R73 MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Jeremiah 2. The Surfer 3. Little Spike
133 Day Spell
2nd of 12	20/12/24	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr11	Scott Phelan	1:55.0	1:55.0	3.5m	$8.10	14	3YO MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Duchess Megxit 2. Jeremiah 3. Iron Brigade
5th of 14	6/12/24	NZ Metro	2600m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Scott Phelan	1:58.1	1:58.1	16.4m	$17	21	3YO MOB. PACE	-	-	1. We Walk By Faith 2. Vessem 3. Harrison John
4th of 10	15/11/24	NZ Metro	1980m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Scott Phelan	1:56.2	1:56.2	8.9m	$6.20	18	3YO MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Better Knuckle Up 2. Chase A Dream 3. Harrison John

Duchess Megxit (Fr7) 1489x
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Scott Phelan
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 57% / 85%

Track Specialist

4 yo Bay Mare

Sire: Sweet Lou

Dam: Kensington Kate

Dam's Sire: Bettor's Delight

Rating

Stats

Career

21: 12-4-2

Distance

6: 3-2-0

Trk/Dst

5: 3-2-0

Track

15: 9-3-2

1st Up

4: 2-1-0

2nd Up

4: 2-0-1

3rd Up

4: 1-2-0

Metro

15: 9-3-2

Non-Metro

6: 3-1-0

Mobile

21: 12-4-2

All-Weather

21: 12-4-2

Slushy

1: 0-1-0

Best Mile

1:54.43

Gear Changes

Blinds OFF [Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Ended last campaign in tough fashion at Camb. Class will take her close fresh-up

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
9th of 10	4/4/25	WaikBoP	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Tony Herlihy	1:52.3	1:52.3	104.9m	$33	7	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Leap To Fame 2. Chase A Dream 3. Merlin
8th of 10	28/3/25	WaikBoP	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr9	Tony Herlihy	1:51.4	1:51.4	14.0m	$9.60	21	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Chase A Dream 2. Merlin 3. Pinseeker
4th of 8	7/3/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Zachary Butcher	1:56.1	1:56.1	5.6m	$1.50f	77	R57 & faster MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Frisco Bay 2. Ohoka Connor 3. Wicked Wanda
77 Day Spell
1st of 12	20/12/24	Auckland	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Zachary Butcher	1:55.0	1:55.0	3.5m	$1.40f	7	3YO MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Duchess Megxit 2. Jeremiah 3. Iron Brigade
1st of 11	13/12/24	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Zachary Butcher	2:41.3	1:57.9	1.3m	$2.10f	14	3YO+ F&M FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Duchess Megxit 2. Princess Meritaten 3. Treacherous Gall
1st of 14	29/11/24	NZ Metro	2600m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr14	Zachary Butcher	3:12.5	1:59.1	3.0m	$3.60	17	3YO Fillies MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Duchess Megxit 2. Classic Elegance 3. All You Need Is Me

The Surfer (Fr8) 21245
Trainer: Arna Donnelly (Cambridge)
Driver: Carter Dalgety (J)
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 22% / 48%

Distance Specialist

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Downbytheseaside

Dam: Styx On

Dam's Sire: Art Major

Rating

Stats

Career

31: 7-6-2

Distance

16: 6-4-1

Trk/Dst

10: 2-3-1

Track

16: 2-3-1

Season

2: 0-0-0

1st Up

5: 1-1-0

2nd Up

5: 2-1-1

3rd Up

3: 0-0-1

Metro

16: 2-3-1

Non-Metro

15: 5-3-1

Mobile

26: 5-4-1

Standing

5: 2-2-1

All-Weather

31: 7-6-2

Slushy

2: 1-1-0

Best Mile

1:56.90

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Denied room when last here. Never far from the action and must be duly respected

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 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
1st of 11	25/4/25	Auckland	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr8	Bob Butt	2:39.9	1:56.9	1.1m	$4.80	21	3YO+ Up to & including R70 MOB. PACE	-	-	1. The Surfer 2. Always B You 3. Always B Elite

Jolimont (FrU1) 867x4
Trainer: Arna Donnelly (Cambridge)
Driver: James Stormont
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 27% / 45%

Track Specialist

5 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: Sweet Lou

Dam: Running On Faith

Dam's Sire: Soky's Atom

Rating

Stats

Career

37: 10-5-2

Distance

14: 4-3-0

Trk/Dst

10: 3-1-0

Track

24: 8-1-1

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

6: 2-2-0

2nd Up

5: 3-0-0

3rd Up

5: 2-1-0

Metro

24: 8-1-1

Non-Metro

13: 2-4-1

Mobile

29: 8-5-1

Standing

8: 2-0-1

All-Weather

37: 10-5-2

Slushy

5: 1-2-0

Best Mile

1:52.50

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Dashed late to finish less than 1L from #5 resuming. One of a host of chances.

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
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
1st of 9	14/3/25	Auckland	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Tony Herlihy	2:02.5	1:55.9	2.4m	$4.60	73	FFA MOB. PACE	-	-	1. Jolimont 2. Frisco Bay 3. Little Spike
73 Day Spell

Merlin (20m 1) 6234x
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Zachary Butcher
Prize Money: -
Win / Place: 52% / 85%

Track Specialist

5 yo Bay Horse

Sire: Art Major

Dam: Imaginary Bet

Dam's Sire: Bettor's Delight

Rating

Stats

Career

40: 21-7-6

Distance

8: 4-1-2

Trk/Dst

3: 1-1-1

Track

16: 10-2-2

1st Up

5: 2-2-1

2nd Up

5: 4-0-1

3rd Up

5: 4-0-1

Metro

21: 11-4-2

Non-Metro

19: 10-3-4

Mobile

35: 19-5-6

Standing

5: 2-2-0

All-Weather

35: 20-7-6

Best Mile

1:52.10

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Champion who has never missed a placing fresh. Tough mark but needs including.

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
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
2nd of 12	31/12/24	Auckland	3200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr7	Zachary Butcher	2:00.7	2:00.7	2.4m	$3.30f	25	FFA PACE	-	-	1. Republican Party 2. Merlin 3. Sooner The Bettor