By Michael Guerin
Lazarus might be the best pacer in the world but he won’t be asked to prove it.
Because trainer-driver Mark Purdon says his piece of pacing perfection will never campaign in North America, even though he could potentially dominate there, like he did in Saturday’s A$400,000 Victoria Cup.
Lazarus turned the 2240m mobile into an advert for his future stud career, blazing to a 12m win without being asked for his maximum.
His task was made easier by a second favourite Hectorjayjay being checked into a gallop early but it wouldn’t have mattered as Lazarus was in front of him by that stage and tore around the Melton track in a 1:52.5 mile rate.
He becomes a rare four-year-old winner of the Victoria Cup and is now red hot for the A$1,050,000 treble of the Bonanza, Chariots Of Fire and Miracle Mile in the next month.
Purdon believes Lazarus is still working his way back to his jaw-dropping level of New Zealand Cup week and if he gets there by Miracle Mile night on February 25 he could go close to 1:47 for a mile.
It is a very realistic estimate considering Have Faith In Me set the Australasian record at 1:47.5 last season and Lazarus is racing to a higher level than his stablemate was then.
A 1:47 mile in the Southern Hemisphere would put Lazarus in the all-time greats of the sport anywhere in the world and it would be hugely tempting to give him his shot at North America next year, where feature race success could set him up as a dual hemisphere stallion.
But while that could be worth millions, Purdon says there is enough money to be won in this part of the world without the risk.
“I don’t think he needs to go up there and risk the complications,” he explains.
“He has some huge races to chase down here and his owners are loving racing him so we haven’t even talked about the stud stuff yet.”
If he can stay sound and he doesn’t start thinking more about his love life than his track like, Lazarus could the horse harness racing has prayed for.
He was the captain of a near perfect Kiwi team at Melton on Saturday, with Vincent, Motu Meteor and Jack’s Legend winning the three Victoria Derby heats.
Jack’s Legend was patiently handled by Zac Butcher but still sat three wide for the last 800m and rated 1:55 for the 2240m, handing trainer Barry Purdon and Butcher as driver a perfect two from two for the night.
Earlier in the evening Butcher snuck Rocker Band up the passing lane to win her first Australian start and now takes on Piccadilly Princess in the Ladyship Cup this Saturday, the winner guaranteed a start in the Ladyship Mile on February 25.
Motu Meteor made the most of a trail to win his heat but it was Vincent who stole the show, sitting parked before smashing his rivals by 12m and earning $1.30 pre-draw favouritism.
Among the older horses Have Faith In Me scored his first win since the Miracle Mile in a support race and while it had to be brave after sitting parked he still looks two or three lengths off the horse of last season, with the Hunter Cup on Saturday his chance to turn that around.
For all the greatness of Lazarus perhaps them most heart-warming Kiwi win of the night was Sunny Ruby sneaking home in the Dullard Cup for Sam Smolenski in what was the first Australian start for horse and trainer.
“That was a great buzz because obviously the Great Southern Star is the main race we are here for,” said Smolenski.
“But I am loving this trip and learning so its a great experience.”
Sunny Ruby will now head to this Saturday’s A$300,000 Great Southern Star against Speeding Spur, with Kiwi horses set to be favourites in all five group ones at Melton this Saturday.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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