NZB Standardbreds Dominate Field for Group One Sires Stakes Final

The clash of brilliant juveniles in the $170,000 Group One Woodlands Stud Sires Stakes Series Final (1980m) demonstrates NZB Standardbred's ability to provide elite level pacers in Australasia.

Incredibly, thirteen graduates are among the field of fifteen classy pacers are set to go head-to-head in the New Zealand Cup Day feature at Addington.

The race is shaping as a rematch between brilliant colts Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Merlin (NZ) (Art Major) following their epic home straight battle in the recent $200,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Two-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Pace (1980m).

Though they go into the Sires Stakes Series Final with top billing, the winning chances certainly do not end with the two favourites.

Son Of Mac (NZ) (American Ideal) ran an outstanding third behind Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming in their recent clash at Addington and he will be out to contest the pair on Tuesday.

The outstanding two-year-old was purchased by his trainer Kyle Marshall for $60,000 out of the Leanach Lodge draft at the 2021 Auckland National Yearling Sale.

Son Of Mac has crucially clinched an excellent draw in barrier 3, alongside Don’t Stop Dreaming who has barrier 2.

The pair have a big advantage in their quest to turn the tables on Merlin, who must start from barrier 15.

Kyle Marshall goes into the Sires Stakes Series Final thrilled with his horse’s recent progress.

“It has worked out well to miss the last heat at Ashburton,” Marshall said.

“He went to Addington and won and it seems to have given him a good confidence boost.

“I have been very happy with his work and he seems really well.”

Merlin stepped out at the New Zealand Cup Trials ahead of his attempt to remain unbeaten in the Sires Stakes Series Final.

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan trained two-year-old let down powerfully to beat several of his rivals on Tuesday in a brilliant trial win.

The winner of all eight of his career starts, Merlin was purchased by Dean Shannon’s Montana Park for $120,000 at the 2021 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

Don’t Stop Dreaming is part of an epic team the All Stars stable will line up in Tuesday’s Group One feature.

The brilliant colt was purchased by All Stars Racing Stables for $250,000 out of the Studholme Bloodstock Draft at the 2021 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

The Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen stable also start Sherlock (NZ) (Vincent), Final Collect (NZ) (Art Major), OK Boomer (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Carrera Rapido (NZ) (Art Major) and With Style (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) in Tuesday’s feature.

The All Stars stable produced Franco Indie (NZ) (Always B Miki) to win last year’s running of the Sires Stakes Series Final.

The $170,000 Group One Woodlands Stud Sires Stakes Series Final (1980m) will be run as Race 9 at 4.17pm on Tuesday 8 November.

HORSE	Breeding	DRAW	SALE	PURCHASER	TRAINER	DRIVER
Sherlock	Vincent - After Party	1	2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale, $67,500	Mrs JL Feiss	Mark Purdon & Hayden Cullen	Natalie Rasmussen
Don't Stop Dreaming	Bettor's Delight - Start Dreaming	2	2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale, $250,000	All Stars Racing Stables	Mark Purdon & Hayden Cullen	Mark Purdon
Son Of Mac	American Ideal - Lusty Mac	3	2021 Auckland National Yearling Sale, $60,000	Mr KJ Marshall	Kyle Marshall	Robbie Close
Rakamurph	Captaintreacherous-Rakarazor	4			Nathan Williamson	Nathan Williamson
Alta Meteor	Art Major - Alchemist	5	2020 All Age Sale, $25,000	Stonewall Stud	Steve & Amanda Telfer	Tim Williams
Cougar Express (E2)	Bettor's Delight - Ohoka Moon	6	2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale, $55,000	Mr MP Jones	Mark Jones	Samantha Ottley
Final Collect	Art Major - Collectable	7	2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale, Psd, Res $50,000		Mark Purdon & Hayden Cullen	Blair Orange
Seve	Vincent (AUS) - River Belle	8			Tony Herlihy	Tony Herlihy
Second Line
OK Boomer	Bettor's Delight - Onlyforyou	9	2021 Auckland National Yearling Sale, $130,000	PI & GJ Kennard Bloodstock Ltd	Mark Purdon & Hayden Cullen	Jonny Cox
Carrera Rapido	Art Major - Real Courage	10	2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale, $40,000	All Stars Racing Stables	Mark Purdon & Hayden Cullen	Brent Mangos
Watermelon Sugar (E1)	Sweet Lou - Pacing Delight	11	2021 Auckland National Yearling Sale, $50,000	Kentuckiana Lodge Ltd	Cran & Chrissie Dalgety	Carter Dalgety(J)
With Style	Bettor's Delight - My Style	12	2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale, $200,000	Mrs JL Feiss	Mark Purdon & Hayden Cullen	Olivia Thornley(J)
Frankie Major	Art Major - Delight Me	13	2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale, $60,000	Lincoln Farms Bloodstock	Ray Green	David Butcher
Charlie Brown	Art Major - Gold Elite	14	2021 Auckland National Yearling Sale, $75,000	Diamond Racing	Robert & Jenna Dunn	John Dunn
Merlin	Art Major - Imaginary Bet	15	2021 Christchurch National Yearling Sale, $120,000	Montana Park P/L	Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan	Zachary Butcher