By Adam Hamilton
Kiwi superstar Lazarus dominates betting despite drawing outside the front row in Saturday night’s $120,000 Group 1 Ballarat Cup (2710m).
And Anthony Butt is the new driver for his stablemate, newly-crowned Inter Dominion champion Smolda, when he clashes with Lazarus and Lennytheshark at Ballarat.
Purdon was the draw himself last night (Monday) when Lazarus drew poorly in gate seven, while Smolda landed an ideal gate three.
Lennytheshark, who hasn’t raced since his Perth Inter Dominion quest derailed with a hoof injury on December 2, gets his chance from gate four.
The Aussie TAB still opened Lazarus a commanding $1.30 favourite with Lennytheshark at $4.50 and Smolda at a remarkable $6.50.
Granted Lazarus was far too good for Smolda when they last met in the NZ Cup, but Smolda has improved plenty since, is the defending Ballarat Cup champ and has a race fitness edge through his powerhouse SA Cup win last Saturday week.
Smolda beat Lennytheshark in last year’s Ballarat Cup before the result was reversed in the Victoria Cup a week later.
Lazarus’ only run since he completed he NZ Cup/FFA double at Addington was a cosy, almost trial-like Cambridge win on January 5.
The Ballarat Cup card could get even stronger when the field for the main support race, the 1710m free-for-all, is finalised today (Tuesday).
Purdon’s Miracle Mile winner Have Faith In Me is down to return in the race.
And Perth Inter Dominion runner-up Hectorjayjay has also been nominated and connections are warming to idea of backing him uo after his easy Shepparton Cup win last week.
It’s shaping the perfect lead-up card or the Victoria Cup a week later and the Hunter Cup on February 4.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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