RIVAL harness racing trainer Shane Tritton was the most interested onlooker as Lazarus worked a lot harder than expected to win the the Group 1 4YO Bonanza at Melton last night (Saturday). 

It booked Lazarus his spot in next week’s $200,000 Group 1 Chariots Of Fire, but also raised some queries about the pin-up horse of Australasia.  

As he has done a few times before, Lazarus appeared to struggle at top speed rounding the final bend in a race. 

But, as great horses do, he found a way to come deep and win, which most others found impossible with the pattern of racing last night. 

Tritton, who trains the Chariots second favourite Salty Robyn, is big on homework and will have carefully noted Lazarus’s battle on the final bend. 

When you have won the NZ Cup by a record margin and the Victoria Cup, dropping back to race your own age should be stroll in the park. 

Tritton isn’t so sure that will be the case for Lazarus at Menangle next Saturday night. 

In fact, the always upbeat and confdent Tritton thinks he can beat him with his emerging star Salty Robyn. 

Salty Robyn goes ino the Chariots having won his past 10 starts. 

And he has run time, too. Salty Robyn’s PB is a 1min49.2sec mile and that was sitting parked. 

Tritton think he can much quicker if needed. 

Facts say that will be needed to test or beat Lazarus. 

That’s because Lazarus’ trainer Mark Purdon thinks he can run a faster mile than his stablemate Have Faith In Me, who paced 1min47.5sec beating Lennytheshark in last year’s Miracle Mile. 

If Salty Robyn has any hope, the barriers need to go his way and he needs to stay in front of Lazarus. 

“I’m so looking forward to it. My horse could not have had a better build-up and he’s ready to fly. Lazarus won’t get this race on a platter,” Tritton said. 

Tritton will have two Chariots runners with his emerging Anything For Love also making the field. 

Purdon and co-trainer Natalie Rasmussen will have three runners with Our Waikiki Beach and Lets Chase The Dream joining Lazarus. 

Lets Chase The Dream showed he was primed with another dominant win at Menangle last night. 

Despite sitting parked for much of the race, Lets Chase The Dream controlled the race from the “death” and dashed home in 55.3 and 26.7sec for a 1min52.2sec mile. It followed a 1min49.9sec win a week earlier. 

Adam Hamilton