The group 3 Junior Free-For-All will be the scene for the next chapter in the epic rivalry between Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming.
The brilliant 3-year-olds are set for another mouth-watering clash at Addington today.
Though there are absolutely no doubts about where his allegiances lie, Scott Phelan admits he is like many harness racing fans.
The co-trainer of Merlin cannot wait to see the two special 3-year-olds do battle once again.
"It is going to be great to see good horses rolling around together, but they’re not in an easy field, and they won’t get it all their way."
Merlin comes into the Junior Free-For-All with just one run under his belt so far this spring.
The pacer ran into trouble before flashing home last in the Flying Stakes, won by Don’t Stop Dreaming.
Merlin’s racing options have been limited since, but the Barry Purdon-Scott Phelan team have kept his fitness ticking over on the training track.
"This race is pretty much all we have been able to go in with his rating," Phelan said.
"There’s no 3-year-old races on, so this is all that’s available for him unless we go against the cup horses."
"We don’t want to do that yet, but he’ll get his time to do it."
"He had a little bit of a freshen-up after his last run and then just gradually worked his way up into it for this one."
Merlin tuned up for his New Zealand Cup Day outing with a nice third at the New Zealand Cup trials.
The pacer looked to trial well and was not extended by Zac Butcher in the home straight.
"It was a nice trial; he did exactly what we wanted him to do — nothing more, nothing less," Phelan said.
Merlin has only had one start in the Junior Free-For-All distance range, producing a win in the 2700m Northern Derby.
Phelan has no fears about his stable star stepping up to 2600m on New Zealand Cup Day.
"I don’t think the distance is anything to worry about, to be honest."
"He showed what he can do in his derby win."
"I think the run you get in these races is important, so we will see where he ends up in the running and see what he can do from there."
Don’t Stop Dreaming ran last in his hit-out at the New Zealand Cup trials.
But the pacer was not asked for an effort by driver Mark Purdon as he ran solid closing sectionals, finishing alongside star stablemate Millwood Nike.
Adding to the evenness of their epic encounter today, Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming are drawn beside each other in barriers 8 and 9, respectively.
