Draw and fitness on Merlin’s side in Menangle Group 2

[Wandering Eyes]

By Adam Hamilton 

Expect to see a better and sharper Merlin when he chases a Miracle Mile berth at Menangle on Saturday night.

Co-trainer Scott Phelan said the star pacer’s second at Menangle last Saturday night has “brought him on plenty” ahead of Saturday night’s $100,000 Group 2 Cordina Group Sprint (10.30pm).

Merlin, who races as Its Merlin in Australia, will need a top three finish to be certain of a spot in the $1 million Miracle Mile a week later.

He’s got the draw to do it from gate one and regular driver Zachary Butcher returns to the sulky. 

“He definitely needed the run last week and Gavin (Fitzpatrick) drove him well considering where he was at,” Phelan said.

“He’d only had one quiet trial going into it, so he’s benefited a lot from the run.

“I was happy with how he went and he’s come through it really well.”

Its Merlin is in the stronger of the two qualifiers with arch Kiwi rival Dont Stop Dreaming (gate two), dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee (five), classy mare Eye Keep Smiling (four), Captain Ravishing (eight) and Tact McLeod (12) among his major rivals.

“It’s a strong race, but the draw is a huge help. We’re not used to getting the pegs at Menangle,” Phelan laughed.

Merlin is currently the second favourite at $3.80, with Swayee the top pick at $2.25. 

“We have to take advantage of the draw. He’s got the gate speed to use it.

“I’ll leave the driving up to Zac, but sometimes you’ve just got to back your horse.

“It’s a mile and he’s got a great draw, we won’t be handing the lead away. If he does, something will really have to earn it.”

That could be Swayzee, who is sure to be driven aggressively by Cam Hart.

Phelan admits stablemate Sooner The Bettor faces a challenge from a wide draw (gate eight) in the other qualifier.

“He’s fine. The vet said he pulled-up sore after that first run he had at Menangle, but he was fine the next day,” he said.

“The draw is the issue. He had great draws when he ran so well in those Menangle races, including the Miracle Mile, this time last year.

“There’s a lot of speed and nice horses inside him this week.”

It’s a similar story with Phelan and Barry Purdon’s Chariots Of Fire runner Better Knuckle Up, who has drawn nine, but will move down to seven.

“He’ll also improve from his first run over here,” Phelan said. “It’s just hard to see where he’ll end up from the draw.

“If they go hard, he’s certainly a good enough horse to be right in the finish, but he’s going to need the run to suit.”

Purdon is chasing a fifth Chariots Of Fire win. His four wins is already a training record.

 

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