Alexandra Park Race 9

LINCOLN FARMS FRANKLIN CUP HANDICAP PACE

Stake: $60,000

Distance: 2700m
Class: R73 & faster
Track: Good
Weather: -
Surface: All Weather

Little Spike (Fr1) 44612
Trainer: Arna Donnelly (Cambridge)
Driver: -
Prize Money: $118,423
Win / Place: 25% / 42%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Terror To Love

Dam: Key Operator

Dam's Sire: Armbro Operative

Owners: Est T K Piercy, Mrs A A Piercy

Rating

Stats

Career

28: 7-2-3

Distance

6: 1-1-0

Trk/Dst

4: 0-0-0

Track

16: 2-1-3

Season

6: 1-1-0

1st Up

4: 1-0-1

2nd Up

4: 1-0-1

3rd Up

4: 1-0-0

Mobile

20: 5-0-3

Standing

8: 2-2-0

All-Weather

28: 7-2-3

Left Handed

12: 5-1

Right Handed

16: 2-4

Best Mile

1:56.60

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Slick performance to win at Camb, Cup Week then bold behind stable-mate. Minors.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
2nd of 7	28/11/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	20m2	Andre Poutama	2:00.6	2:00.6	0.82L	$6.30	14	3YO+ R50 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$27,375	$4,650	1. Jolimont 2. Little Spike 3. The Surfer	Brk,up prkd,ld,trld 1400,thru,game
1st of 11	14/11/25	WaikBoP	2200m	Standing	All Weather	20m2	Benjamin Butcher	2:43.8	1:59.8	0.19L	$5.30	14	3YO+ R45 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$19,650	$11,000	1. Little Spike 2. Captain Sampson 3. You Little Beauty	8th otr,imp mid,wd cvr,irresistible
6th of 6	31/10/25	Auckland	2700m	Standing	All Weather	20m1	Andre Poutama	2:01.3	2:01.3	4.91L	$5.20	14	3YO+ R53 to R86 DiscrHcp PACE	$15,215	$298	1. Captain Sampson 2. Jolimont 3. Joes Rock	Brk,rear inr,off,wdst tn,bttld away
4th of 5	17/10/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	10m2	Andre Poutama	1:59.8	1:59.8	2.79L	$3.00	14	R62 to R86 DiscrHcp PACE	$17,550	$1,200	1. Jeremiah 2. Better Knuckle Up 3. Jolimont	Trld,off,ld 1600,trld 900,stout inr
4th of 8	3/10/25	Auckland	2700m	Standing	All Weather	Fr2	Andre Poutama	1:59.6	1:59.6	2.42L	$21	14	DiscrHcp PACE	$37,200	$2,100	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Merlin 3. Better Knuckle Up	Trld,3-bk 1300,stout on inr,no gaps
6th of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr1	Andre Poutama	2:01.1	2:01.1	4.01L	$31	127	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$38,600	$700	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin	4th inr,4-bk 1550,off 350,ran on wd
127 Day Spell

The Surfer (Fr2) 56963
Trainer: Arna Donnelly (Cambridge)
Driver: -
Prize Money: $146,195
Win / Place: 18% / 45%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Downbytheseaside

Dam: Styx On

Dam's Sire: Art Major

Owners: D B Donnelly, Mrs S M Donnelly

Rating

Stats

Career

37: 7-7-3

Distance

6: 1-1-1

Trk/Dst

2: 0-0-0

Track

19: 2-4-2

Season

8: 0-1-1

1st Up

5: 1-1-0

2nd Up

5: 2-1-1

3rd Up

4: 0-1-1

Mobile

27: 5-4-1

Standing

10: 2-3-2

All-Weather

37: 7-7-3

Slushy

2: 1-1-0

Left Handed

18: 5-4

Right Handed

19: 2-6

Best Mile

1:56.90

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Bagged another placing with 28 Nov 3rd and never far from the action. Multiples.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
3rd of 7	28/11/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	20m3	Tony Herlihy	2:00.6	2:00.6	2.30L	$5.00	17	3YO+ R50 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$27,375	$2,850	1. Jolimont 2. Little Spike 3. The Surfer	Brk,4th inr,6-bk,1x1 1200,off,stout
6th of 11	11/11/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr10	Samantha Ottley	1:57.0	1:57.0	5.39L	$21	8	3YO+ FFA MOB. PACE	$58,950	$1,050	1. Franco Sinatra 2. Hadron Collider 3. Smoke On The Water	Trld-4bk inr,held up tn-100,sound
9th of 10	3/11/25	Kaikoura	2400m	Standing	All Weather	20m1	Zachary Butcher	1:57.8	1:57.8	29.00L	$11	7	4YO+ R50 to R79 SpecHcp PACE	$50,000	$1,250	1. The Lazarus Effect 2. Double Jeopardy 3. Dreams Are Free	Soon prkd,no cvr,fading from 600
6th of 11	27/10/25	Ashburton	2400m	Standing	All Weather	Fr9	Zachary Butcher	1:57.3	1:57.3	5.39L	$105	24	FFA PACE	$58,950	$1,050	1. Republican Party 2. Alta Meteor 3. Akuta	6th,4-5-4bk inr,waitd,steady inr
2nd of 6	16/10/25	N Cnty TOA	2600m	Standing		-	Samantha Ottley	3:20.20	-	0.46L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Chase A Dream 2. The Surfer 3. Radha	-
5th of 8	3/10/25	Auckland	2700m	Standing	All Weather	Fr7	David Butcher	1:59.6	1:59.6	2.60L	$15	14	DiscrHcp PACE	$37,200	$1,200	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Merlin 3. Better Knuckle Up	Slw,prkd the majority,stuck bravely

Better Knuckle Up (Fr3) 53245
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Crystal Hackett (J)
Prize Money: $361,117
Win / Place: 23% / 57%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: Bare Knuckle

Dam's Sire: Raging Bull

Owners: Mrs J V Stott, P A Stott

Rating

Stats

Career

26: 6-3-6

Distance

3: 0-0-1

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-1

Track

17: 5-3-4

Season

7: 0-2-2

1st Up

6: 3-0-1

2nd Up

5: 2-1-2

3rd Up

4: 0-1-0

Mobile

22: 6-2-5

Standing

4: 0-1-1

All-Weather

23: 6-3-6

Left Handed

6: 1-1

Right Handed

17: 5-7

Best Mile

1:53.30

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Terrific Add attempts behind Kingman and with a clean beginning can take this.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
5th of 11	21/11/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Crystal Hackett	1:55.6	1:55.6	5.99L	$13	10	4YO MOB. PACE	$122,813	$3,750	1. Kingman 2. The Lazarus Effect 3. We Walk By Faith	4bk otr,3bk,3-4wd tn,honest mid
4th of 15	11/11/25	NZ Metro	3200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr18	Crystal Hackett	1:58.0	1:58.0	2.79L	$136	25	FFA PACE	$1,000,000	$47,500	1. Kingman 2. Leap To Fame 3. Merlin	7-8bk otr,3wd cvr,solid bid mid
6th of 7	5/11/25	NZ Metro	1980m	Mobile		-	Barry Purdon	2:30.00	-	0L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Captains Mistress 2. Chase A Dream 3. Lakelsa	-
2nd of 5	17/10/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	10m1	Crystal Hackett	1:59.8	1:59.8	0.41L	$1.80	14	R62 to R86 DiscrHcp PACE	$17,550	$3,100	1. Jeremiah 2. Better Knuckle Up 3. Jolimont	Brk,rear inr,1x1,prkd 900,ld,nutted
3rd of 8	3/10/25	Auckland	2700m	Standing	All Weather	Fr3	Crystal Hackett	1:59.6	1:59.6	2.30L	$7.00	14	DiscrHcp PACE	$37,200	$3,600	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Merlin 3. Better Knuckle Up	Brk,6th inr,4-bk,off,3&4w 450,stout
5th of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr4	Crystal Hackett	2:01.1	2:01.1	3.72L	$7.20	14	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$38,600	$700	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin	Brk,9th otr,4-bk bell,wdst,did well

Jolimont (10m 1) 63251
Trainer: Arna Donnelly (Cambridge)
Driver: -
Prize Money: $264,216
Win / Place: 25% / 46%

5 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: Sweet Lou

Dam: Running On Faith

Dam's Sire: Soky's Atom

Owners: T Heptinstall, Ms N Cruickshank, J A Cruickshank, R C Campbell

Rating

Stats

Career

43: 11-6-3

Distance

11: 2-1-1

Trk/Dst

8: 1-1-1

Track

29: 9-2-2

Season

7: 1-1-1

1st Up

6: 2-2-0

2nd Up

6: 3-0-0

3rd Up

6: 2-1-0

Mobile

29: 8-5-1

Standing

14: 3-1-2

All-Weather

43: 11-6-3

Slushy

5: 1-2-0

Left Handed

14: 2-5

Right Handed

29: 9-4

Best Mile

1:52.50

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Returned to the winner's circle stalling rivals 2 weeks ago. Sure to go forward.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
1st of 7	28/11/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	30m1	David Butcher	2:45.0	2:00.6	0.82L	$6.60	14	3YO+ R50 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$27,375	$16,500	1. Jolimont 2. Little Spike 3. The Surfer	Rear,1x1,prkd,ld 1400,too many guns
5th of 11	14/11/25	WaikBoP	2200m	Standing	All Weather	30m1	Peter Ferguson	1:59.8	1:59.8	2.42L	$2.80	14	3YO+ R45 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$19,650	$350	1. Little Spike 2. Captain Sampson 3. You Little Beauty	9th otr,5-bk,wd cvr 800,wdr,stout
2nd of 6	31/10/25	Auckland	2700m	Standing	All Weather	30m1	David Butcher	2:01.3	2:01.3	1.78L	$1.40	14	3YO+ R53 to R86 DiscrHcp PACE	$15,215	$2,635	1. Captain Sampson 2. Jolimont 3. Joes Rock	Brk,5th,5-bk inr,off,4w tn,bold fin
3rd of 5	17/10/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	20m1	David Butcher	1:59.8	1:59.8	1.30L	$5.50	14	R62 to R86 DiscrHcp PACE	$17,550	$1,900	1. Jeremiah 2. Better Knuckle Up 3. Jolimont	3rd inr,prkd,ld 950,hdd top,kept on
6th of 8	3/10/25	Auckland	2700m	Standing	All Weather	Fr1	James Stormont	1:59.6	1:59.6	4.98L	$8.10	14	DiscrHcp PACE	$37,200	$700	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Merlin 3. Better Knuckle Up	7th otr,3-bk bell,wd 400,bttld away
4th of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr1	James Stormont	2:01.1	2:01.1	3.09L	$12	14	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$38,600	$2,400	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin	8th inr,5bk 1550,held up,off,useful

Merlin (20m 1) 25133
Trainer: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan (Clevedon)
Driver: Zachary Butcher
Prize Money: $1,726,510
Win / Place: 47% / 84%

Track Specialist

Nearing Another Win

5 yo Bay Horse

Sire: Art Major

Dam: Imaginary Bet

Dam's Sire: Bettor's Delight

Owners: Montana Park Pty Ltd

100

Rating

Stats

Career

46: 22-8-9

Distance

8: 3-1-0

Trk/Dst

4: 2-1-0

Track

18: 10-3-3

Season

6: 1-1-3

1st Up

6: 2-2-2

2nd Up

6: 4-1-1

3rd Up

6: 4-0-1

Mobile

36: 19-5-7

Standing

10: 3-3-2

All-Weather

41: 21-8-9

Left Handed

23: 11-9

Right Handed

18: 10-6

Best Mile

1:52.10

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners]

Comments

Tried hard in both Add placings behind Aussie champions. This sets up well.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
3rd of 10	14/11/25	NZ Metro	1980m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr10	Zachary Butcher	1:53.7	1:53.7	2.08L	$5.70	3	FFA MOB. PACE	$193,000	$18,000	1. Leap To Fame 2. Republican Party 3. Merlin	3bk inr,off,prkd 1300-tn,fght well
3rd of 15	11/11/25	NZ Metro	3200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr3	Zachary Butcher	1:58.0	1:58.0	2.19L	$17	8	FFA PACE	$1,000,000	$85,000	1. Kingman 2. Leap To Fame 3. Merlin	3-4bk otr,3wd cvr 700,solid up inr
1st of 11	3/11/25	Kaikoura	2400m	Standing	All Weather	Fr6	Zachary Butcher	2:54.8	1:57.2	0.59L	$2.90	17	FFA PACE	$98,250	$55,000	1. Merlin 2. Akuta 3. Mo'unga	4bk otr,3wd,prkd 600,fght,toughest
5th of 15	17/10/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr7	Zachary Butcher	1:58.9	1:58.9	4.31L	$4.40	14	FFA PACE	$63,150	$1,800	1. Republican Party 2. Don't Stop Dreaming 3. Alta Meteor	3-5bk otr,6bk 700,angld,tidy,peakd
2nd of 8	3/10/25	Auckland	2700m	Standing	All Weather	20m1	Zachary Butcher	1:59.6	1:59.6	0.48L	$1.90	14	DiscrHcp PACE	$37,200	$6,200	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. Merlin 3. Better Knuckle Up	Rear otr,swept to ld 1300,reeled in
3rd of 10	19/9/25	Auckland	2200m	Standing	All Weather	20m1	Zachary Butcher	2:01.1	2:01.1	2.60L	$2.30	161	R60 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$38,600	$3,800	1. Sooner The Bettor 2. The Surfer 3. Merlin	6th otr,1x1 1550,wd 350,bold effort
161 Day Spell

Akuta (20m 2) 63289
Trainer: Mark & Nathan Purdon (Matamata)
Driver: -
Prize Money: $1,213,103
Win / Place: 45% / 77%

Track Specialist

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: Bettor's Delight

Dam: Adore To Our Dreams

Dam's Sire: Christian Cullen

Owners: Cullen Breeding Limited, Mark Purdon, T F Shaw

Rating

Stats

Career

40: 18-7-6

Distance

9: 5-0-1

Trk/Dst

2: 1-0-1

Track

12: 6-1-3

Season

9: 2-1-2

1st Up

6: 3-2-1

2nd Up

6: 2-1-0

3rd Up

6: 3-0-2

Mobile

24: 12-4-3

Standing

16: 6-3-3

All-Weather

40: 18-7-5

Slushy

3: 2-0-1

Left Handed

28: 12-9

Right Handed

12: 6-4

Best Mile

1:51.80

Gear Changes

[Removable Deafeners, Blinds]

Comments

Underperformed during Cup Week but no doubting his class. Enviable record here.

Expected Settling Position: Off Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result	Race Review
9th of 10	14/11/25	NZ Metro	1980m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr9	Mark Purdon	1:53.7	1:53.7	12.01L	$27	3	FFA MOB. PACE	$193,000	$3,500	1. Leap To Fame 2. Republican Party 3. Merlin	4bk otr,3-4wd 450,no impact wdst
8th of 15	11/11/25	NZ Metro	3200m	Standing	All Weather	Fr10	Mark Purdon	1:58.0	1:58.0	5.32L	$21	8	FFA PACE	$1,000,000	$15,000	1. Kingman 2. Leap To Fame 3. Merlin	Up,led,trld 2800,thru,sound,peakd
2nd of 11	3/11/25	Kaikoura	2400m	Standing	All Weather	Fr4	Mark Purdon	1:57.2	1:57.2	0.59L	$2.60	7	FFA PACE	$98,250	$15,500	1. Merlin 2. Akuta 3. Mo'unga	Up,ld 2000,tackld,ld,fght hard,cght
3rd of 11	27/10/25	Ashburton	2400m	Standing	All Weather	Fr2	Mark Purdon	1:57.3	1:57.3	4.39L	$7.30	17	FFA PACE	$58,950	$5,400	1. Republican Party 2. Alta Meteor 3. Akuta	4th,up,ld,trld 1400,thru,honest
6th of 7	10/10/25	NZ Metro	2600m	Standing	All Weather	25m2	Mark Purdon	1:58.4	1:58.4	4.20L	$3.00	26	4YO+ R75 & faster DiscrHcp PACE	$22,813	$438	1. Republican Party 2. Pinseeker 3. Smoke On The Water	7th,up,prkd 1200,askd,felt pinch
1st of 9	14/9/25	Oamaru	2600m	Standing	All Weather	Fr2	Mark Purdon	3:11.4	1:58.4	1.30L	$2.00	9	FFA PACE	$37,900	$22,000	1. Akuta 2. Dalton Shard 3. MacAndrew Aviator	Soon parkd,levelled up trn,classy

Race Review Abbreviations

Brk: Broke, Blkd: Blocked or held up, 1 x 1: One-out, one-back, Prkd: Parked, 3bk otr: 3 back on the outer, 3bk inr: Same as above, but on the inside, trld: Trailed, Gt spd: Showed gate speed, 3wd: 3-wide postd: Caught wide without cover, Held up: Held up, no gaps or few gaps: If they don't see any clear air in the straight, Inr-mid-wd -position: On the inside, mid = 1-off, wd = 3-wide or wider, flew hm wd: Flew home wide, dashd inr: Sprinted well on the inside, Chkd: Checked, Slow: Slow away at the start, Wltd: Wilted or got tired, Fdd: Faded late, Urgd: If the driver's getting stuck in