By Adam Hamilton
LAZARUS will be a hot favourite to land his first heat win of the Perth Inter Dominion series at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
After two gallant seconds so far, Lazarus has landed the easiest of Friday night’s three heats and should control the race despite a wide draw (gate seven). He will also relish the step-up to 2536m.
Lazarus won’t have to contend with any of the other big guns of the series with the likes of Soho Tribeca, Chicago Bull, Tiger Tara and Lennytheshark also drawn different heats.
Speedster Yayas Hot Spot drew directly outside Lazarus in gate eight, but it’s likely Mark Purdon will get serious on his stable star at the start to hone his gate speed ahead of a possible good draw in the final.
Lazarus did all the chasing outside winner Tiger Tara when second in a record-smashing 1min52.3sec mile rate for 2100m at Bunbury last night (Tuesday). It took 1.5sec off the record.
Lazarus’ stablemate Have Faith In Me is one of his rivals on Friday, but is out of contention for a final berth. He’s drawn the outside (gate nine).
Lazarus will relish the 2536m. He’s had 13 starts at 2400m or further for 11 wins, a second in the Ballarat Cup and 3rdf in the Avon City Ford Cup.
Tiger Tara faces an even harder challenge now he’s drawn (gate six) outside local star Chicago Bull (gate one) in the first of Friday night’s heats.
Chicago Bull looks certain to hold the front and has proven unbeatable when leading during his Aussie career.
Tiger Tara will likely have to sit outside the leader as he did when second to Lennytheshark on opening night.
Emerging local Shandale needs big points to make the final, but could get his chance from gate five against Chicago Bull and Tiger Tara.
The second of Friday night’s heats shapes as the best of the series so far with San Carlo drawn one against Lennytheshark (gate seven) and Soho Tribeca the outside (nine).
“The draw wouldn’t worry him if he was at his top,” Lennytheshark’s driver Chris Alford said. “I’m backing him to bounce back on Friday. I’m sure David (Aiken, trainer) will have him right.
“He definitely ran a bit below his best at Bunbury, but he’s bounced-back before.
“David’s getting a precautionary blood test done so we will know more after that, but Lenny’s a smart horse and maybe some of the memories of last year at Bunbury when he first felt the hoof injury came back to him last night.”
Lazarus is a $2.80 favourite on the Aussie TAB from Soho Tribeca at $3. Then comes Chicago Bull ($4.50), Lennytheshark ($8) and Tiger Tara ($9).
The field for the Grand Final will decided after Friday night’s heats with the barrier draw held on Sunday.
This email, and any attachments, is confidential and may be covered by legal professional privilege or other legal rules. If you are not the intended recipient you must not disclose or use the information contained in it. If you have received this email in error please notify us immediately by return email or by calling our main switchboard on +613 9868 2100 and delete the email.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
