Merlin faces a new challenge in the Ashburton Flying Stakes against Don’t Stop Dreaming

Horses usually cope with the lack of a standing start handicap by having more room to move and horses that can follow them better than the more claustrophobic environment of being in a full front line of horses that both stars face today.

But Phelan, who trains Merlin under legend Barry Purdon, isn’t worried.

“He’s such a good runner and such a clean gait that we’re really confident he’ll be fine at the start,” Phelan says.

“And he’s stretched out a little wider, so hopefully he won’t have to stand for too long.

“It’s working great and we’re really confident.”

While Merlin’s team has a lot of respect for Don’t Stop Dreaming, they got the better of him this year and Merlin is looking to go even stronger.

Don’t Stop Dreaming will benefit from its winter period as it has a very busy start to 2024 and even if there is a difference in ability between the two, the deciding factor may well be who steps up better and gains a tactical advantage.

The stable also includes Cold Chisel and Mach Shard in the Flying Stakes, both with chances to place, but it would be a surprise to see them discard the favorites even though Mach Shard ran twice in the event in the autumn.

The team of Purdon and Phelan will be using all sorts of weapons in today’s huge meeting, including perhaps a special young filly from Youretheonethatiwant (R5, No. 14).

She has performed well in the north, but she has a draw on the second line in the field of possibilities and Phelan warns that he would prefer to get her out in one go, meaning the favorite southern captain’s mistress could get a good run ahead of her.

“I think she’ll hit the net hard, but I don’t want to get past her in the middle stages. But she can still win,” he suggests.

The stable also has Jeremiah (R5, No. 7) and Better Knuckle Up (9) in the Pace 3-year-old sophomore rankings, with Phelan unable to choose between the pair, while previously Confederate and Ultimate Racy Girl have at least a chance at place. get good sliding runs.

Other features today are that Bet N Win and Oscar Bonavena will dominate the Flying Trot after a scratch at Muscle Mountain, while Mantra Blue will need a bit of luck to win the race of mares from her second line draw again.

Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published articles on horse racing while still in school and began writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for Herald in 1990, when he was 20 years old. He became HeraldEditor of Racing magazine since 1995, covering the world’s largest horse racing carnivals.