Two great horses go to war in the Derby

It was perfectly scripted when the season-long harness racing rivalry between Merlin (Art Major) and Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) was played out again today (Dec. 10) at Addington in the $250,000 G1 Garrards New Zealand Pacing Derby.

The barrier draw dictated the race pattern in today’s three year old pacing feature and after Merlin was allocated barrier four and Don’t Stop Dreaming six, Merlin’s driver Zachery Butcher was always going to punch out and lead.

The Barry Purdon Scott Phelan colt had a number of challenges during the running including Don’t Stop Dreaming who came looking with a lap to run.

Turning in, Merlin looked to have the measure of his archrival, but the margin was closing again at the finish.

“He’s gone super. Barry and Scotty had him spot on today. Full credit to Don’t Stop Dreaming. He went super. He did it tough sitting outside me and he was coming again at the line,” Butcher told Harness Racing Unhinged.

The winning margin was three quarters of a length with Merlin’s stablemate Sooner The Bettor two and a quarter lengths back in third.

The last mile was cut out in 1-55.9 which meant runners beyond the front bunch had little show of improving.

“I got it easy enough early, and the theory was to roll and make it hard for the others. His will to win is probably his greatest thing.”

MERLIN REPLAY

The winning time was 3-08.5 with the last 800 metres run in 55.8. The win was Barry Purdon’s fifth NZ Derby and the first since 1998 that a Holmes DG won the three year old classic. It was Phelan’s first taste of success in the iconic race.

Merlin was bred by Todd and Fleur Anderson who sell their stock under the Taffy brand. He was bought at the 2021 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sale by Dean Shannon of Montana Park Pty Ltd.

The win was Merlin’s thirteenth from just nineteen starts and took his lifetime earnings to over half a million dollars.

The win capped off a goal for his driver and trainers of winning both the Great Northern Derby and the New Zealand Derby double.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink