Merlin will need to wave some magic

KIWI raider Its Merlin will need to weave since magic at Club Menangle this weekend.

Sent across Bass Strait on the strength of two impressive wins following a brief freshen-up, Its Merlin has drawn barrier seven in the Paleface Adios Stake.

Along with a $50,000 purse, the feature offers automatic entry into Chariots Of Fire, which is scheduled to be conducted at the world class venue on March 2.

The Chariots Of Fire winner is then afforded a berth in the $1million Garrards Miracle Mile the following week.

To be driven by New Zealand reinsman Zach Butcher, Its Merlin slots into gate seven with the removal of the emergencies.

TAB Fixed Odds have the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained son of Art Major listed as the $2.10 favourite, with Better Be The Best considered the main danger at $3.60.

Prepared by New South Wales horseman Nathan Turnbull, Better Be The Best returned to winning form by scoring against older rivals last weekend, in what was his second run from a long spell.

Purdon is no stranger to Chariots Of Fire glory, having captured the inaugural edition with Ginger Man in 1995 before scoring again with Franco Hat Trick in '98, Holmes D G in '99 and Our Sky Major in 2015.

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