Bittersweet Ashburton Flying Stakes for Merlin’s connections

[Wandering Eyes]

By Michael Guerin

The thrill of victory was soon soured for the connections of superstar pacer Merlin at Ashburton.

The magnificent pacer displayed manners, power and speed to outmuscle leader Don’t Stop Dreaming in the NZB Airfreight Flying Stakes, moving into clear second favouritism for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway on November 12.

But that buzz was soon replaced by concern for stablemate Cold Chisel, who pulled up with what could be a major issue in a hind leg.

Cold Chisel is raced by Merlin’s owner Dean Shannon, the head of Entain in Australia, and trained by Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan but injured his off hind leg during the race, in which he finished eighth.

One of the best three-year-old pacers in the country and the winner of the Northern Derby, he was taken to a veterinary clinic with Phelan unsure as to the extent of his injury.

“We don’t know much at the moment and I will head up to see him as soon as I can tonight,” said Phelan.

“I don’t want to speculate too much so we will try and update people when we know more.”

There is no suggestion the injury to Cold Chisel was related to any incident in the race but it cast a shadow over the Group 2, with the health of any horse always more important than a mere race result.

Merlin was still very good winning the traditional lead-up to the IRT New Zealand Cup though and Phelan says he is unlikely to be see in public again until the iconic race.

“He won’t go to Kaikoura next Monday or the Cup trial,” he offered.

“He is stepping well today and that win will bring him on and he will be ready to go in two weeks.”

Don’t Stop Dreaming was brave in second and should improve as it was only his second run this campaign and while Alta Meteor ran on well for third, it is hard to imagine any of those who finished behind the first pair beating them both in the Cup.

Even if they do all the local pacers face the imposing task of outstaying Australian champion Leap To Fame, who is now confirmed to be at Addington for the 3200m classic. 

Merlin’s win saw him move in slightly from $5 to $4.80 for the Cup with the TAB, with Don’t Stop Dreaming out to $6.50 as Leap To Fame dominates the market at $1.55.

Alta Meteor and yesterday’s fourth placed Republican Party, who was gutsy after a hard run, are both rated $23 chances for the NZ Cup.

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