By Adam Hamilton
LAZARUS is primed to smash the track record and can run a 1min46sec Menangle mile.
That’s the word from trainer-driver Mark Purdon now Lazarus has settled in Sydney ahead of his Miracle Mile assault.
Like all Miracle Mile hopes, Lazarus will have to go through a qualifier at Menangle on Saturday week ahead of the main event on February 24.
Asked whether the sprint trip negated some of Lazarus’ recent dominance in staying races, Purdon conceded maybe a little, but then predicted a record run from the best horse he’s ever trained.
“I wouldn’t say he’d huge a dominance factor over the mile, but he would certainly run a great mile … he won run 1min46sec if needed,” he said.
Remembering Have Faith In Me set the track record with his 1min47.5sec Miracle Mile win in 2016.
Purdon revealed last Saturday night’s Hunter Cup was both one of his greatest moments in the sport and the defining win so far in Lazarus’ career.
“All those Group 1 wins are great victories and he’s had a lot of them, but that one the other night really made a statement. It showed everyone he was clearly the best horse going around,” he said. “I’ve said for a long time he’s the best I’ve trained.”
Lazarus enjoyed a lazy Sunday after his Hunter Cup win then travelled to Sydney on Monday.
“One of the great things about him is how well he bounces back from hard runs like that,” Purdon said. “Once he’d settled in here (Sydney on Tuesday), he was really bright and full of himself again. You wouldn’t know he’d had a hard run.”
Purdon was also asked about the Menangle factor given Lazarus was beaten into third spot in last year’s Miracle Mile.
“It’s not an issue. He won the Chariots Of Fire here and when he ran third in that Miracle Mile, he probably wasn’t as good as I’d like to have had him on that night,” he said.
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