KEY POINTS:
Scott Phelan won't be resting on his laurels after landing harness racing's job of a lifetime.
The 25-year-old will enter into partnership with Hall of Fame trainer Barry Purdon from the start of the new season next week.
While Purdon is one of the great trainers of any racing code ever produced in New Zealand he has also established a freakish record as a mentor of top horsemen, with some of the best trainers and drivers in the country having spent time under his wing.
So while Phelan realises he has snared a role many others would crave he says the hard work is only beginning.
"It is a dream chance for me," said Phelan.
"But it is now up to me to get better. That means improving everything - training, driving, communication with the owners.
"It is an amazing opportunity and I can't wait to get started."
Phelan has worked for Purdon for nine years.
"I have already learnt a lot from Barry but you could spend the rest of your life training with him and not know half what he knows."
Purdon was thrilled to take Phelan into partnership.
"Scott has been a great worker for me for a long time now and is a good all-round horseman. He does great work training the horses and drives really well. And he is good with the owners too so I am sure he will be a big hit."
Purdon chooses to no longer train the huge teams he did 15 or 20 years ago but will have around 25 horses in work once the rising 2-year-olds return to the stable.
"We have a lot of nice horses among them so we should be in for a good season."
But he expects one of the real stars of the stable next season to be human rather then equine.
Robert Butt became the stable's junior driver last season and has impressed with the start to his career in the sulky.
"I think he has what it takes to make it as a driver and I predict big things for him," said Purdon.
"It is an exciting time with two young guns like Scott and Robert who are so keen for next season."
Power Of Tara will be the stable star next season and is being set for a mid-September return, hopefully on the way to the New Zealand Cup.
"He looks great and I am sure he will be a better horse than last season," said Purdon.
He also rates rising 4-year-olds Big Dog, Kaui Diam and Christian Warrior as pacers worth following.
"They all showed plenty as 3-year-olds this season and come back assessed where they won't be hard to place.
"They should all have some fun next season."
Purdon also believes The Cavalier, who drew poorly in so many of the major 2-year-old races this season, will be a factor in the bigger 3-year-old races next season.
* Fans of three of Purdon's former greats will be happy to know they are all faring well in retirement.
Holmes D G is reportedly "as fat as a house and doing great" alongside Christopher Vance in Cambridge while Luxury Liner is now 27 and enjoying retirement on the property of owner Robert Reid.
Dream job
* Barry Purdon is to take Scott Phelan into a training partnership next season.
* The role is a dream come true for 25-year-old Phelan.
* Purdon also expects a big season from stable junior driver Robert Butt.
* Power Of Tara is the stable star, being set for the New Zealand Cup.
