Southern Diamond (NZ) To Take On Outstanding Field in Second Harness Million Tilt

Southern Diamond (NZ) (Creatine) will be out to clinch his second Harness Million title when he lines up among an outstanding field for the $75,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three-Year-Old Trot (2200m) at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan trained squaregaiter was a brilliant winner of the 2022 edition of the $75,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Two-Year-Old Trot (1980m) when holding out his talented stablemate Halberg (NZ) (Father Patrick).

Though it has not been the case in all divisions of the lucrative Harness Million Series, each winner of the NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Trot has gone on to win it the following year.

Outamyway (NZ) (Love You) completed the feat in 2021 while Highgrove (NZ) (Love You) doubled up in 2022.

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan stable have targeted the NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three-Year-Old Trot with Southern Diamond, starting the trotter fresh up following his excellent spring and summer campaign.

With three trials under his belt, Scott Phelan is confident Southern Diamond is ready to run a big race.

“He has had three trials and he is pretty ready, he is as ready as he can be.”
“He has had plenty of groundwork so he is pretty right.”
“He is a pretty nice horse, so we expect him to be a pretty good chance.”

Halberg comes into the NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three-Year-Old Trot after running to a fresh-up victory at Alexandra Park last week.

The trotter ran a gallant second in last year’s 2022 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Two-Year-Old Trot when working hard in the running and fighting on for second.

The son of Father Patrick out of Great Getaway looks set for a strong effort in his second Harness Million tilt. 

“He got caught a little bit flat-footed but he is learning his ringcraft and it was good to see him hit the line and get up and win,” Phelan said.

“Southern Diamond has the edge on him on results alone so far, but the gap is closing.”

Southern Diamond was secured for $37,500 by the Purdon-Phelan stable from breeder-vendors Dave and Dawn Kennedy’s Beaudiene Breeding when he was offered at the 2021 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

Halberg was purchased for $60,000 from John Dickie’s draft at the 2021 National Yearling Sale at Karaka. 

The stablemates take on a quality line up in Friday night’s lucrative feature, including Kiss And Run (NZ) (What The Hill).

The Robert and Jenna Dunn trained filly also comes into the Harness Million Three-Year-Old Trot after impressing in her recent trials.

Lovemeto (NZ) (What The Hill) also looks a major player judging by her recent form.

The Graeme Rogerson and Dylan Ferguson trained filly has been excellent in all four starts since returning from a spell.

Fight For Freedom (NZ) (Muscle Mass), Crown The Moment (NZ) (Father Patrick) Patrick Swayze (NZ) (Father Patrick) and Aldebaran Crystal (NZ) (Father Patrick) will also get their shot at the lucrative $75,000 stake of the NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three-Year-Old Trot on Friday night.