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

BETTER KNUCKLE UP (2) finished second two starts back at this track then could not have been more impressive last start to win by 17 metres over 2700m at this track. A nice draw on the front line should ensure a cosy run. Finds a suitable assignment and will prove very tough to beat once more. MERLIN (5) ran second last start at this track over 2700m, beaten 17 metres. Expect him to be prominent. SOONER THE BETTOR (3) is having his first run back from a break of six months. Boasts a record of four wins from five starts when fresh from a spell. No excuses from this advantageous draw. Well-placed to open this prep with a win. CHASE A DREAM (4) comes here following a eighth behind Hi Manameisjeff at Listed level five months ago over 1609m at Menangle. Ideally drawn and is a serious threat while fresh.

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
BMR1:54.30
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 Cameron1:54.8010
  • 1. Social Distancing
  • 2. Hooray Henry
  • 3. Captain Sampson
4.3L$2.50
8/1024/04/202614FFA MOB. PACE$96,500.00Auckland1609mGoodTony Cameron1:54.75
  • 1. The Lazarus Effect
  • 2. Got The Chocolates
  • 3. Swayzee
18.0L$160.20
4/1010/04/20268R45 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$24,125.00WaikBoP2700mFastTony Cameron1:59.52
  • 1. Leo Lincoln
  • 2. Kings Watch
  • 3. Melton Mogul
18.6L$9.80
9/902/04/202692R50 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$23,688.00WaikBoP2200mFastTony Cameron2:00.81
  • 1. Beta Prepare
  • 2. Leo Lincoln
  • 3. Louezyana
14.3L$6.50
8/831/12/2025123YO+ FFA PACE$232,500.00Auckland3200mSlushyTony Cameron2:03.43
  • 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 Cameron1:56.612
  • 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
2.4L$2.10
5/728/11/2025143YO+ R50 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$27,375.00Auckland2200mFastTony Cameron1
  • 1. Jolimont
10.2L$1.90
2/1114/11/2025143YO+ R45 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$19,650.00WaikBoP2200mFastTony Cameron1
  • 1. Little Spike
  • 2. Captain Sampson
0.5L$3.30
1/631/10/2025143YO+ R53 to R86 DiscrHcp PACE$15,215.00Auckland2700mFastTony Cameron1
  • 1. Captain Sampson
  • 2. Jolimont
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
BMR1:53.30
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 Orange1:58.003
  • 1. Better Knuckle Up
  • 2. Merlin
  • 3. Jeremiah
16.9L$2.90
2/618/09/2026140R55 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$22,375.00Auckland2200mFastHarrison Orange1:59.701
  • 1. American Me
  • 2. Better Knuckle Up
  • 3. Jeremiah
0.5L$10.20
6/601/05/20267FFA MOB. PACE$89,500.00Auckland2200mFastCrystal Hackett1:55.72
  • 1. Got The Chocolates
  • 2. The Lazarus Effect
  • 3. Swayzee
16.1L$61.10
6/1024/04/202614FFA MOB. PACE$96,500.00Auckland1609mGoodZachary Butcher1:54.77
  • 1. The Lazarus Effect
  • 2. Got The Chocolates
  • 3. Swayzee
10.5L$82.20
9/1010/04/202621FFA MOB. PACE$1,000,000.00WaikBoP2200mFastTony Herlihy1:53.011
  • 1. Leap To Fame
  • 2. Akuta
  • 3. Swayzee
32.3L$96.10
7/820/03/202614FFA MOB. PACE$55,800.00Auckland2200mFastTony Herlihy1:57.47
  • 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
-$3.50
2/920/02/202651R53 & faster MOB. PACE$16,108.00Auckland1609mFastTony Herlihy6
  • 1. Sooner The Bettor
  • 2. Better Knuckle Up
14.8L$2.90
4/831/12/2025193YO+ FFA PACE$232,500.00Auckland3200mSlushyTony Herlihy7
  • 1. Republican Party
11.0L$9.70
3/612/12/202521R73 & faster PACE$53,700.00Auckland2700mFastCrystal Hackett3
  • 1. Merlin
  • 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
BMR1:53.50
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 Orange1:55.75
  • 1. Got The Chocolates
  • 2. The Lazarus Effect
  • 3. Swayzee
13.2L$21.70
5/1024/04/202622FFA MOB. PACE$96,500.00Auckland1609mGoodHarrison Orange1:54.73
  • 1. The Lazarus Effect
  • 2. Got The Chocolates
  • 3. Swayzee
9.1L$10.10
2/702/04/202620FFA MOB. PACE$54,750.00WaikBoP1609mFastHarrison Orange1:51.43
  • 1. The Janitor
  • 2. Sooner The Bettor
  • 3. Merlin
0.3L$4.60
2/813/03/202621FFA MOB. PACE$37,200.00Auckland1700mFastHarrison Orange1:53.64
  • 1. The Lazarus Effect
  • 2. Sooner The Bettor
  • 3. Merlin
3.0L$6.70
1/920/02/20267R53 & faster MOB. PACE$16,108.00Auckland1609mFastHarrison Orange1:55.68
  • 1. Sooner The Bettor
  • 2. Better Knuckle Up
  • 3. Rubira
14.8L$3.30
1/513/02/202644R51 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$14,918.00Auckland2200mFastHarrison Orange2:01.61
  • 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
  • 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
4.6L$1.70
12/1511/11/20258FFA PACE$1,000,000.00NZ Metro3200mFastScott Phelan8
  • 1. Kingman
53.8L$68.50
4/1103/11/202517FFA PACE$98,250.00Kaikoura2400mGoodScott Phelan2
  • 1. Merlin
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
BMR1:51.40
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 160 days since last start

PlaceDateDaysClassPrizeTrackDist.Cnd.DriverMile RateGateResultMarginStarting Price
8/816/05/202614No NR$30,600.00Menangle1609mFastCameron Hart1:49.45
  • 1. Hi Manameisjeff
  • 2. Pinseeker
  • 3. Seasider
33.1L$2.40
5/1002/05/202614No NR$20,400.00Menangle1609mFastJye Coney1:49.710
  • 1. Ripp
  • 2. Jilliby Nitro
  • 3. Piccadilly Pete
8.7L$6.50
2/1018/04/202635No NR$20,400.00Menangle2300mFastCameron Hart1:53.89
  • 1. Pinseeker
  • 2. Chase A Dream
  • 3. Alta William
0.1L$1.65
8/814/03/20267No NR$1,000,000.00Menangle1609mFastWill Rixon1:49.06
  • 1. Leap To Fame
  • 2. The Janitor
  • 3. Don Hugo
14.5L$18.00
2/1007/03/202621No NR$75,000.00Menangle1609mFastJ G Coney1:48.68
  • 1. Leap To Fame
  • 2. Chase A Dream
  • 3. Don Hugo
1.1L$19.00
1/814/02/202615No NR$22,500.00Melton2240mNeutralCameron Hart1:54.56
  • 1. Chase A Dream
  • 2. Mach Dan
  • 3. Operative Line
7.4L$1.40
5/630/01/202649C,G&E FFA MOB. PACE$17,900.00NZ Metro1980mFastJohn Dunn6
  • 1. Pinseeker
29.6L$3.90
6/712/12/202521FFA MOB. PACE$36,500.00NZ Metro1980mFastBob Butt6
  • 1. Republican Party
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
4.3L$24.50
8/1111/11/2025153YO+ FFA MOB. PACE$58,950.00NZ Metro2600mGoodMark Purdon11
  • 1. Franco Sinatra
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
BMR1:52.10
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 Butcher1:58.002
  • 1. Better Knuckle Up
  • 2. Merlin
  • 3. Jeremiah
16.9L$2.00
4/618/09/2026161R55 & faster DiscrHcp PACE$22,375.00Auckland2200mFastZachary Butcher1:59.701
  • 1. American Me
  • 2. Better Knuckle Up
  • 3. Jeremiah
4.6L$1.80
10/1010/04/20268FFA MOB. PACE$1,000,000.00WaikBoP2200mFastZachary Butcher1:53.03
  • 1. Leap To Fame
  • 2. Akuta
  • 3. Swayzee
37.7L$24.80
3/702/04/202613FFA MOB. PACE$54,750.00WaikBoP1609mFastZachary Butcher1:51.47
  • 1. The Janitor
  • 2. Sooner The Bettor
  • 3. Merlin
3.2L$6.20
2/820/03/20267FFA MOB. PACE$55,800.00Auckland2200mFastZachary Butcher1:57.45
  • 1. The Lazarus Effect
  • 2. Merlin
  • 3. We Walk By Faith
1.9L$3.70
3/813/03/202663FFA MOB. PACE$37,200.00Auckland1700mFastZachary Butcher1:53.68
  • 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
3.2L$2.30
6/831/12/2025193YO+ FFA PACE$232,500.00Auckland3200mSlushyZachary Butcher5
  • 1. Republican Party
17.2L$4.40
1/612/12/202528R73 & faster PACE$53,700.00Auckland2700mFastZachary Butcher1
  • 1. Merlin
  • 2. Little Spike
1.6L$1.80
3/1014/11/20253FFA MOB. PACE$193,000.00NZ Metro1980mFastZachary Butcher10
  • 1. Leap To Fame
  • 3. Merlin
5.6L$5.70

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