By Adam Hamilton
Lazarus headlines a Purdon-fest in Australia this weekend.
Most of the biggest names from the All Stars’ barn step-out in the countdown to races like the Victoria and Hunter Cups, Miracle Mile, Chariots Of Fire and Victoria Derby.
Purdon is reserving his final judgement on Lazarus’ fitness ahead of Saturday night’s $120,000 Group 1 Ballarat Cup (2710m) until a workout at the Ballarat track itself tomorrow morning (Wednesday).
“I’m pretty happy with him. In fact I think he’s back very close to what he was NZ Cup week, but I’ll know more after I work him at Ballarat,” he said.
Purdon is so happy with Inter Dominion winner Smolda he has opted not to take him to Ballarat with Lazarus for a workout.
“He’s come on well since South Australia. He was kicking and squealing this morning and I told Shaun (McNaulty, foreman) everything showed he was ready to go and didn’t need a hitout at Ballarat,” he said.
As good as Smolda has been racing, Purdon said the best of Lazarus would simply be too good for him.
“If Lazarus is back to his NZ Cup form he would be too good,” he said. “It’s just whether he is quite there for this weekend.
“Smolda is really wound-up and Anthony (Butt, new driver) will get him off the gate well. I think Lennytheshark will be hard-pressed getting across him at the start.
“I think Smolda might be the leader and Lazarus will come around and sit parked.”
Here is Purdon’s snapshot of his other Aussie runners this weekend:
R6 n4 Motu Meteor: He seems well. He’s been a bit of a challenge to train, but I’m happy with him now. This race looks to suit him.
R7 n2 Vincent: I’d put him up with More The Better as out second-best 3YO. I was a bit disappointed with him at his only defeat on (NZ) Cup Day, but we’ve made a few gear changes since and he;s kept improving. This will top him off nicely for the Derby.
R4 N6 Have Faith In Me: With no Hectorjayjay in the race I would expect him to win. I’m happy with him, but also keen to put him to test to decide whether he’s ready to go into the Hunter Cup.
R6 n2 Prince Fearless: He was off the scene for a while and I think he’ll need another couple of runs to show us whether he can get back to his best form.
R7 n2 A Piccadilly Princess: She’s a really nice mare and could easily have won all her runs in Perth with more luck. She won well last time (at Melton) and this looks another good race for her.
R6 N1 Our Waikiki Beach: John McCarthy will drive him for us. I was happy with his run even though he didn’t win last week. He kept coming, but he was a bit awkward on the last bend, hung a bit and didn’t help himself. He’ll be better on the markers (from gate one) and hopefully John can get him away quickly at the start to lead.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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