By Duane Ranger
There’s no such thing as a racecourse certainty but Lazarus is as close as you will get – just ask the New Zealand TAB bookmakers.
The 10-length New Zealand Cup winner opened up at $1.10 and $1.02 to win today’s (Friday) Group Two $60,000 McMillan’s Waikato Flying Mile (1609m mobile) for the Free-For-All Pacers.
The brilliant 4-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight will be having his first start since November 11 when he won the New Zealand Free-For-All by one-and-three-quarter lengths.
Lazarus did however have one workout at Alexandra Park before the Auckland Cup on New Year’s Eve. Co-trainer Mark Purdon said he went around with a galloping pace-maker working the 2400m in 3:08 – half in 55 and last quarter in 26.
Purdon was happy with his fast-work.
“I’m just not quite sure he is where he was at Cup week, but he’s still very good. He will improve with this race under his belt.
“He has a good draw of four so I’m sure he will give a good account of himself,” Purdon said.
Co-owner Trevor Casey said he would love to see his pride and joy get close to Adore Me’s race record of 1:51.6 set two years ago, but wasn’t counting on it.
“I’m not too sure he can give that time a fright this time but Mark has him ready and I don’t think any other horse in the field could do it.
“He’s very deceiving when running along. You think he’s going slow, but he is actually running halves in 55,” said Christchurch-based Casey
Lazarus’s toughest opponent – Christen Me has drawn awkwardly at one on the second row, ensuring the favourite’s miniscule price.
After Cambridge Lazarus will run in the Hondo Grattan on January 21 in an attempt to qualify for the Chariots of Fire. The Victoria Cup and Miracle Mile are also on his agenda.
Casey said he would be travelling to Cambridge on Friday to watch Lazarus and meet the winner of the ‘Own Lazarus For A Day’ promotion which was his brainchild.
The writer drew out Sue Barrington’s name of Palmerston North at the Harness Racing Waikato meeting on Christmas Eve.
She said she was over the moon and couldn’t wait to see New Zealand’s best pacer strutting his stuff.
“Even if I lived in Invercargill I would make the trip north. I wouldn’t miss this opportunity for all the tea in China,” Barrington told HRNZ.
“I hope the promotion goes good for the club. It is a dream come true to own a horse like this. I’m just so pleased to let the public see him in action before he heads to Aussie.
“I’m also looking forward to meeting Sue. Let the fun begin,” added Casey.
Meanwhile, Purdon and Rasmussen have five horses running on Friday, and it might pay to keep close tabs on them. They are:
Race 2: Ready To Fire (2) – Mark Purdon; Race 3: The Victorian Derby-bound More The Better (7) Purdon; Race 3: Motu Meteor (3) Tony Herlihy (MNZM); Race 6: Smiley Sophie (11) Jack MacKinnon (j, cl); Race 7: Prince Fearless (7) Purdon; Race 9: Lazarus (4) Purdon.
Opening odds (Wednesday) for the Waikato Flying Mile were:
1) The Faithful (1) David Butcher $24 & $2.15.
2) Hughie Green (2) Tony Herlihy (MNZM) $26 & $2.90.
3) Better B Amazed (scratched).
4) Lazarus (3) Mark Purdon $1.10 & $1.02.
5) Shandale (4) Maurice McKendry $37 & $4.10.
6) No Doctor Needed (5) Todd Macfarlane $26 & $3.10.
7) Bettor Spirits (6) Philip Butcher $111 & $13.
8) Hug The Wind (7) Brent Mangos $37 & $4.40.
9) Christen Me (21) Dexter Dunn $13 & 1.60.
10) Arden’s Choice (22) Zac Butcher $31 & $3.30.
Waikato Flying Mile winner’s since Christian Cullen’s emphatic victory in 1999 have been:
2016: The Orange Agent (Maurice McKendry) 1:56.3.
2015: Adore Me (Tim Williams) 1:51.6.
2014: Pembrook Benny (Zac Butcher) 1:54.4.
2013: Gold Ace (Tony Herlihy MNZM) 1:53.3.
2012: Gomeo Romeo (David Butcher) 1:53.2.
2011: Pembrook Benny (Tony Herlihy) 1:53.6.
2010: Changeover (David Butcher) 1:55.1.
2009: Auckland Reactor (Mark Purdon) 1:53.5.
2008: Baileys Dream (Ricky May) 1:55.1.
2007: Jag Star (Derek Balle) 1:54.6.
2006: Howard Bromac (Kirk Larsen) 1:55.1.
2005: Mister D G (Anthony Butt) 1:57.0.
2004: Elsu (David Butcher) 1:53.6.
2003: Young Rufus (Mark Purdon) 1:54.8.
2002: Holmes D G (Barry Purdon) 1: 54.5
2001: Ouch (Brent Mangos) 1:56.1.
2000: The Tough Nut (Ricky May) 1:56.5.
1999: (Danny Campbell) 1:54.1.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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