Harness racing is a very competitive sport especially when it comes to the two year olds but that hasn't stopped the All Star barn dominating the age group in the last few years in New Zealand.
Today the training pertners Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen had four starters in the Group 1 Harness Jewels $150,000 two year old Emerald at Ashburton and by the end of the race they had claimed the trifecta which is a real feather in their caps.
Salty Robyn and Laureen Panella worked to the front early before handing up to Chase The Dream and Natalie Rasmussen who kept up a steady but not spectactular tempo.
Code Black and John Dunn ended up in the parked position giving cover to Lazarus and Mark Purdon.
Chase The Dream turned for home in front but was quickly claimed by Lazarus and then Motu Premier and Tim Williams flashed late to grab second off a game Chase The Dream who ended up third
A minor highlight of the race was the run of the Australian bound Code Black who looped the field from the outside of the front line and stuck on for a game fourth.
Not only was it a trifecta for the All Star barn, it was also a first four for the champion sire Bettor's Delight with all the first placegetters by him.
Lazarus paced the mile in 1:52.9 with closing sections of 54.8 and 25.1 which made it hard for horses back in the field to make ground.
Mark was reserved as always post race.
" He was unlucky last start but got a lovely run today and that's what made the difference."
"There is nothing between Lazarus and Chase The Dream ability wise and it is only the run they get that makes the difference," Mark said.
The All Star barn has dominated juvenile racing in New Zealand this season and took out five of the six placings in the two year old pacing races today.
Harnesslink Media
