Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan take aim at Aussie harness riches with NZ harness racing stars

Barry Purdon’s Sydney raids are legendary … and the NZ Hall of Fame trainer is aiming to write another chapter in his illustrious history when he unleashes two more stars on this side of the ditch.

Barry Purdon's stable star Merlin will race at Menangle next week. Picture: HRNZ

Barry Purdon’s Sydney raids are legendary.

The Kiwi Hall of Famer horseman has won more Miracle Miles than any other trainer with five victories: Christopher Vance (1991), Chokin (1993 and 1994) and Holmes DG (1999 and 2000).

Purdon’s four Chariots Of Fire wins – Ginger Man (1995), Franco Hat Trick (1998), Holmes DG (1999) and Our Sky Major (2015) – is also a record.

Now he’s back chasing more with training partner Scott Phelan.

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Purdon and Phelan unleash the first two – Better Knuckle Up and Sooner The Bettor – of three stable stars they have sent across the ditch at Menangle on Saturday night.

The biggest star, Merlin, will wait another week to open his assault in a 2300m free-for-all at Menangle.

The trio arrived in Sydney last Sunday, accompanied by Phelan, and have thrived at Paul Fitzpatrick’s stables.

“Scotty said they licked their bins the first night, which is a great sign,” Purdon said.

“Some MERLIN magic to take out the harness millions for 2023”

Congratulations to driver Zachary Butcher and Trainers Purdon/Phelan pic.twitter.com/otueZktMQu

— Trackside NZ (@TracksideNZ) February 17, 2023

Better Knuckle Up has the most important task on Saturday night when he tackles the $50,000 Group 3 Hondo Grattan, a qualifier for the Group 1 Chariots Of Fire.

He has drawn eight but will move down to gate six if the emergencies are scratched.

It’s a hot field, with TAB Eureka runner-up Bay Of Biscay drawn one and other class runners like The Bigboss (five), War Dan Buddy (seven), Kingman (10) and Soho Spectre (11).

The victory for the first running of The Velocity goes the way of the Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan trained Better Knuckle Up who powered over the top of the field in the hands of Zachary Butcher #NZCupWeek@AddingtonNZ| @HarnessRacingNZ | @WoodlandsStudNZpic.twitter.com/nCTKMhqxLB

— Trackside NZ (@TracksideNZ) November 15, 2024

Adding to the Kiwi flavour, We Walk By Faith has drawn alongside Better Knuckle Up in gate nine for trainers Hayden and Amanda Cullen.

We Walk By Faith, winner of his past two starts, won a heat of the NSW Derby at Menangle last year when trained by Mark and Nathan Purdon, He then ran sixth in the final.

Barry Purdon expects Better Knuckle Up to be very competitive.

“He wasn’t far behind Cold Chisel at home. He’s got a lot of speed and we rate him. He should be suited to the Aussie style of racing,” he said.

“It’s just hard to get a line on the Aussie form until you meet them.”

Sooner The Bettor. Picture: HRNZ

The ultra consistent Sooner The Bettor returns to Menangle where he ran four fantastic races this time last year, including seconds in the Miracle Mile and Chariots Of Fire.

“He thrived over there last time and hasn’t done anything wrong in between, so he’s earned another crack,” Purdon said.

Sooner The Bettor also faces a strong line-up in a 1609m free-for-all on Saturday night.

Hunter Cup eye-catchers Max Delight (gate seven) and Captains Knock (eight) are there, along with Jason Grimson’s emerging former Kiwi pacer Im The Falcon (four).

Sooner The Bettor has the gate speed to take advantage and get a forward spot from barrier five.

He will go towards one of the two qualifying sprints for the Miracle Mile at Menangle on March 1.

Sooner The Bettor and Crystal Hackett combine to take out the Thames Goldfields Summer Cup for trainers Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan@AlexandraPark | @HarnessRacingNZ | @WoodlandsStudNZpic.twitter.com/1ly7wcmCM7

— Trackside NZ (@TracksideNZ) December 6, 2024

Merlin is headed there, too, but via next week’s 2300m race.

“Merlin’s really well. We know what a strong crop of open class horses it is at the moment, but it will be great to be part of it again,” Purdon said.

“Like everyone, we’ll have our fingers crossed for good barrier draws.

“It was encouraging to see Dont Stop Dreaming run so well last weekend, he’s pretty similar to Merlin at his best.”

• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.

Originally published as Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan take aim at Aussie harness riches with NZ harness racing stars