NZ HARNESS NEWS
Enigmatic pacer Heaven Rocks declared the battle between himself and New Zealand Trotting Cup favourite Lazarus back on today with a scintillating workout ahead of Monday’s Ashburton Flying Stakes.
Heaven Rocks’ campaign looked in tatters when he appeared to break down during the Canterbury Classic earlier this month, but the diagnosis was skin-related and he was able to return to full work quickly.
The Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained pair engaged in a battle of the heavyweights in a two-horse heat, aided by a galloping pacemaker, in between workouts.
Both received glowing reports from their trainers and respective drivers.
The pair flew over the 2400 metres in better than 2:59 and blasted some impressive sectionals, with Heaven Rocks timed to run his final 400 metres in 25.4 seconds.
“He felt very good,” Rasmussen said.
“Anything that was troubling him seems well behind him now and he’s ready to go for this week’s race, for sure.”
Equally, Purdon was ecstatic with the work of Lazarus, who set the scorecard between the pair at 1-nil with his Canterbury Classic win earlier this month.
“He has come on from the run that night and felt very strong today,” Purdon said.
“Both of them produced some very solid work.”
The pair will dominate the betting for Monday’s $50,000 feature, although at what price they will be open won’t be known until later on Wednesday with bookmakers reluctant to open a market on the traditional Cup lead up race until the final field is sorted on Wednesday morning.
It is likely, though, that Purdon and Rasmussen won’t have to do too much homework on their rivals for Monday as there is every possibility their stable could account for the entire field.
Just six nominations were received for the Flying Stakes and with question marks hanging over both Classie Brigade and Robbie Burns, there was real concern the race wouldn’t get off the ground.
Ashburton Trotting Club president Craig Harrison said the club would run the race with six horses so Purdon and Rasmussen have shifted across Waikiki Beach and Piccadilly Princess from another race on the programme to join Lazarus, Heaven Rocks, Dream About Me and Have Faith In Me.
“It’s a shame for the club,” Rasmussen said.
“But we are really grateful that they are still willing to run the race with six horses.”
Last year’s edition of the Flying Stakes, won by Lazarus, also had six starters.
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