Cold Chisel claims Northern Derby

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan trained Cold Chisel cemented himself as one of New Zealandʻs best 3-year-old pacers this season with victory in the Group 1 Northern Derby at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

Second to Dreams Are Free last week and the winner of the Group 2 Alabar Classic at his previous start, Cold Chisel capitalized on his barrier draw to lead through the first mile of the 2,700m feature.

When Christopher Dance took over the running with a lap to go Cold Chisel and reinsman Zachary Butcher then bided their time before using the passing lane to sprint home and score by a head.

It was the Always B Miki coltʻs sixth win and his fourth at stakes level, taking his earnings to an $344,763.

Bred by Mark and Pauline OʻConnor and Owen Shaw, he is out of the Southland Oaks placed Presidential Ball mare Shezaball.

Cold Chisel is Always B Mikiʻs sixth Australasian Group 1 winner.