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Alexandra Park Race 1 - SPEND MELBOURNE CUP DAY IN THE ALEX MBL PACE

MERLIN (5) Tidy effort when 2nd last run around here but down in distance. Zachary Butcher has been successful aboard previously. Looks a winning hope. BETTER KNUCKLE UP (2) Ran away with a win last run at this track and suited at this distance in the past. Amongst the placegetters at every start this campaign. Hard to overlook. CHASE A DREAM (4) Fresh after a break. Struggled with the pace when 8th last run at Menangle. Is capable of a resurgence. Include in chances. SOONER THE BETTOR (3) First up after 25 weeks and got the upper hand late when winning first up last preparation around here. Will be dropping in distance. Rough hope for punters.

Race Time:4:28 AM
Friday, October 23, 2026
Track:Fast
Weather:FINE
Prize Money:$0.00
Distance:1609m
1
Silk
Captain Sampson (1)9483x
Trainer: Brian & Gareth Hughes (Ardmore)12 mths 22: 7-1-2

Driver: Tony Cameron

4 yo B G
Sire: Captaintreacherous
Dam: Millie Sampson
Dam's Sire: Bettor's Delight

Stats

Career22: 7-1-2
LTS$109,925.00
BMR
TS14: 6-0-1
Win %31.82%
Place %45.45%

Comments

Game effort when here in May. Place claims off the ace if on his game tonight.

Last Starts 168 days since last start

PlaceDateDaysClassPrizeTrackDist.Cnd.DriverMile RateGateResultMarginStarting Price
3/908/05/2026143YO+ C,G&E R46 to R70 MOB. PACE$23,688.00Auckland1700mFastTony Cameron10
  • 1. Social Distancing
  • 2. Hooray Henry
  • 3. Captain Sampson
4.3L$2.50
8/1024/04/202614FFA MOB. PACE$96,500.00Auckland1609mGoodTony Cameron5
  • 1. The Lazarus Effect
  • 2. Got The Chocolates
  • 3. Swayzee
18.0L$160.20
4/1010/04/20268R45 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$24,125.00WaikBoP2700mFastTony Cameron2
  • 1. Leo Lincoln
  • 2. Kings Watch
  • 3. Melton Mogul
18.6L$9.80
9/902/04/202692R50 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$23,688.00WaikBoP2200mFastTony Cameron1
  • 1. Beta Prepare
  • 2. Leo Lincoln
  • 3. Louezyana
14.3L$6.50
8/831/12/2025123YO+ FFA PACE$232,500.00Auckland3200mSlushyTony Cameron3
  • 1. Republican Party
  • 2. Akuta
  • 3. Sooner The Bettor
19.1L$57.30
4/1219/12/202573YO R38 to R73 MOB. PACE$50,000.00Auckland1609mFastTony Cameron12
  • 1. Tyson
  • 2. Debbie Lincoln
  • 3. The Night Agent
2.2L$2.60
1/512/12/2025143YO MOB. PACE$21,938.00Auckland2200mFastTony Cameron4
  • 1. Captain Sampson
  • 2. Greased Lightnin
  • 3. Tyson
2.4L$2.10
5/728/11/2025143YO+ R50 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$27,375.00Auckland2200mFastTony Cameron1
  • 1. Jolimont
  • 2. Little Spike
  • 3. The Surfer
10.2L$1.90
2/1114/11/2025143YO+ R45 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$19,650.00WaikBoP2200mFastTony Cameron1
  • 1. Little Spike
  • 2. Captain Sampson
  • 3. You Little Beauty
0.5L$3.30
1/631/10/2025143YO+ R53 to R86 DiscrHcp PACE$15,215.00Auckland2700mFastTony Cameron1
  • 1. Captain Sampson
  • 2. Jolimont
  • 3. Joes Rock
4.8L$6.80
2
Silk
Better Knuckle Up (2)66x21
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)12 mths 36: 8-5-7

Driver: Harrison Orange

5 yo B G
Sire: Bettor's Delight
Dam: Bare Knuckle
Dam's Sire: Raging Bull

Stats

Career36: 8-5-7
LTS$462,052.00
BMR
TS26: 7-5-5
Win %22.22%
Place %55.56%

Comments

Never looked in danger winning here, 2 Oct. Drawn perfectly here and he's on top

Last Starts 21 days since last start

PlaceDateDaysClassPrizeTrackDist.Cnd.DriverMile RateGateResultMarginStarting Price
1/702/10/202614DiscrHcp PACE$36,500.00Auckland2700mFastHarrison Orange3
  • 1. Better Knuckle Up
  • 2. Merlin
  • 3. Jeremiah
16.9L$2.90
2/618/09/2026140R55 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$22,375.00Auckland2200mFastHarrison Orange1
  • 1. American Me
  • 2. Better Knuckle Up
  • 3. Jeremiah
0.5L$10.20
6/601/05/20267FFA MOB. PACE$89,500.00Auckland2200mFastCrystal Hackett2
  • 1. Got The Chocolates
  • 2. The Lazarus Effect
  • 3. Swayzee
16.1L$61.10
6/1024/04/202614FFA MOB. PACE$96,500.00Auckland1609mGoodZachary Butcher7
  • 1. The Lazarus Effect
  • 2. Got The Chocolates
  • 3. Swayzee
10.5L$82.20
9/1010/04/202621FFA MOB. PACE$1,000,000.00WaikBoP2200mFastTony Herlihy11
  • 1. Leap To Fame
  • 2. Akuta
  • 3. Swayzee
32.3L$96.10
7/820/03/202614FFA MOB. PACE$55,800.00Auckland2200mFastTony Herlihy7
  • 1. The Lazarus Effect
  • 2. Merlin
  • 3. We Walk By Faith
21.8L$13.90
1/606/03/2026143YO+ C,G&E R50 & faster MOB. PACE$15,215.00Auckland1700mFastTony Herlihy3
  • 1. Better Knuckle Up
  • 2. Freeze Frame
  • 3. Jolimont
-$3.50
2/920/02/202651R53 & faster MOB. PACE$16,108.00Auckland1609mFastTony Herlihy6
  • 1. Sooner The Bettor
  • 2. Better Knuckle Up
  • 3. Rubira
14.8L$2.90
4/831/12/2025193YO+ FFA PACE$232,500.00Auckland3200mSlushyTony Herlihy7
  • 1. Republican Party
  • 2. Akuta
  • 3. Sooner The Bettor
11.0L$9.70
3/612/12/202521R73 & faster PACE$53,700.00Auckland2700mFastCrystal Hackett3
  • 1. Merlin
  • 2. Little Spike
  • 3. Better Knuckle Up
2.4L$5.00
3
Silk
Sooner The Bettor (3)2255x
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)12 mths 58: 13-17-8

Driver: Brooke Wilkins

6 yo Br H
Sire: Bettor's Delight
Dam: Lucky Pocket
Dam's Sire: In The Pocket

Stats

Career58: 13-17-8
LTS$752,265.00
BMR
TS30: 11-8-5
Win %22.41%
Place %65.52%

Comments

Last raced in early May but has fashioned outstanding fresh record. Flies gate.

Last Starts 175 days since last start

PlaceDateDaysClassPrizeTrackDist.Cnd.DriverMile RateGateResultMarginStarting Price
5/601/05/20267FFA MOB. PACE$89,500.00Auckland2200mFastHarrison Orange5
  • 1. Got The Chocolates
  • 2. The Lazarus Effect
  • 3. Swayzee
13.2L$21.70
5/1024/04/202622FFA MOB. PACE$96,500.00Auckland1609mGoodHarrison Orange3
  • 1. The Lazarus Effect
  • 2. Got The Chocolates
  • 3. Swayzee
9.1L$10.10
2/702/04/202620FFA MOB. PACE$54,750.00WaikBoP1609mFastHarrison Orange3
  • 1. The Janitor
  • 2. Sooner The Bettor
  • 3. Merlin
0.3L$4.60
2/813/03/202621FFA MOB. PACE$37,200.00Auckland1700mFastHarrison Orange4
  • 1. The Lazarus Effect
  • 2. Sooner The Bettor
  • 3. Merlin
3.0L$6.70
1/920/02/20267R53 & faster MOB. PACE$16,108.00Auckland1609mFastHarrison Orange8
  • 1. Sooner The Bettor
  • 2. Better Knuckle Up
  • 3. Rubira
14.8L$3.30
1/513/02/202644R51 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$14,918.00Auckland2200mFastHarrison Orange1
  • 1. Sooner The Bettor
  • 2. Final Change
  • 3. Village Rebel
5.9L$2.10
3/831/12/2025123YO+ FFA PACE$232,500.00Auckland3200mSlushyHarrison Orange4
  • 1. Republican Party
  • 2. Akuta
  • 3. Sooner The Bettor
1.9L$23.30
1/819/12/2025384YO+ R55 to R90 MOB. PACE$45,000.00Auckland1609mFastHarrison Orange7
  • 1. Sooner The Bettor
  • 2. Mhai Surfer Girl
  • 3. Jolimont
4.6L$1.70
12/1511/11/20258FFA PACE$1,000,000.00NZ Metro3200mFastScott Phelan8
  • 1. Kingman
  • 2. Leap To Fame
  • 3. Merlin
53.8L$68.50
4/1103/11/202517FFA PACE$98,250.00Kaikoura2400mGoodScott Phelan2
  • 1. Merlin
  • 2. Akuta
  • 3. Mo'unga
16.4L$7.90
4
Silk
Chase A Dream (4)8258x
Trainer: Nathan Purdon (Pukekohe)12 mths 35: 12-6-2

Driver: Andre Poutama

5 yo B G
Sire: Captaintreacherous
Dam: Secret Lotion
Dam's Sire: Courage Under Fire

Stats

Career35: 12-6-2
LTS$735,790.00
BMR
TS9: 2-1-0
Win %34.29%
Place %57.14%

Comments

Off the scene since mixed Aus campaign ended in May. Has won fresh; can't risk.

Last Starts 266 days since last start

PlaceDateDaysClassPrizeTrackDist.Cnd.DriverMile RateGateResultMarginStarting Price
5/630/01/202649C,G&E FFA MOB. PACE$17,900.00NZ Metro1980mFastJohn Dunn6
  • 1. Pinseeker
  • 2. Hadron Collider
  • 3. Franco Sinatra
29.6L$3.90
6/712/12/202521FFA MOB. PACE$36,500.00NZ Metro1980mFastBob Butt6
  • 1. Republican Party
  • 2. Alta Meteor
  • 3. We Walk By Faith
18.6L$7.70
1/302/12/2025-R37 & faster SpecHcp PACE$0.00N Cnty TOA2600mGoodJohn Dunn0
  • 1. Chase A Dream
  • 2. Ukraine
0.0L$0.00
4/1121/11/2025104YO MOB. PACE$122,813.00NZ Metro2600mFastMark Purdon2
  • 1. Kingman
  • 2. The Lazarus Effect
  • 3. We Walk By Faith
4.3L$24.50
8/1111/11/2025153YO+ FFA MOB. PACE$58,950.00NZ Metro2600mGoodMark Purdon11
  • 1. Franco Sinatra
  • 2. Hadron Collider
  • 3. Smoke On The Water
15.6L$2.70
5
Silk
Merlin (5)30x42
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)12 mths 55: 24-10-11

Driver: Zachary Butcher

6 yo B H
Sire: Art Major
Dam: Imaginary Bet
Dam's Sire: Bettor's Delight

Stats

Career55: 24-10-11
LTS$1,851,885.00
BMR
TS24: 11-5-4
Win %43.64%
Place %81.82%

Comments

Two nice attempts since returning. Commands full respect on stellar career stats

Last Starts 21 days since last start

PlaceDateDaysClassPrizeTrackDist.Cnd.DriverMile RateGateResultMarginStarting Price
2/702/10/202614DiscrHcp PACE$36,500.00Auckland2700mFastZachary Butcher2
  • 1. Better Knuckle Up
  • 2. Merlin
  • 3. Jeremiah
16.9L$2.00
4/618/09/2026161R55 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$22,375.00Auckland2200mFastZachary Butcher1
  • 1. American Me
  • 2. Better Knuckle Up
  • 3. Jeremiah
4.6L$1.80
10/1010/04/20268FFA MOB. PACE$1,000,000.00WaikBoP2200mFastZachary Butcher3
  • 1. Leap To Fame
  • 2. Akuta
  • 3. Swayzee
37.7L$24.80
3/702/04/202613FFA MOB. PACE$54,750.00WaikBoP1609mFastZachary Butcher7
  • 1. The Janitor
  • 2. Sooner The Bettor
  • 3. Merlin
3.2L$6.20
2/820/03/20267FFA MOB. PACE$55,800.00Auckland2200mFastZachary Butcher5
  • 1. The Lazarus Effect
  • 2. Merlin
  • 3. We Walk By Faith
1.9L$3.70
3/813/03/202663FFA MOB. PACE$37,200.00Auckland1700mFastZachary Butcher8
  • 1. The Lazarus Effect
  • 2. Sooner The Bettor
  • 3. Merlin
7.5L$7.40
1/409/01/20269FFA MOB. PACE$33,900.00WaikBoP2200mFastZachary Butcher4
  • 1. Merlin
  • 2. Akuta
  • 3. Jolimont
3.2L$2.30
6/831/12/2025193YO+ FFA PACE$232,500.00Auckland3200mSlushyZachary Butcher5
  • 1. Republican Party
  • 2. Akuta
  • 3. Sooner The Bettor
17.2L$4.40
1/612/12/202528R73 & faster PACE$53,700.00Auckland2700mFastZachary Butcher1
  • 1. Merlin
  • 2. Little Spike
  • 3. Better Knuckle Up
1.6L$1.80
3/1014/11/20253FFA MOB. PACE$193,000.00NZ Metro1980mFastZachary Butcher10
  • 1. Leap To Fame
  • 2. Republican Party
  • 3. Merlin
5.6L$5.70

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