New challenge for The Lazarus Effect

“It’s going to be harder this week. Being 2700 metres, I was hoping to drive him a bit quieter, but with the draw, it’s forced my hand and I’m just going to have to go forward,” said the driver of The Lazarus Effect (Lazarus) Bob Butt, when assessing his chances in tomorrow’s G1 $100,000 Dawson Harford NZ Messenger at Alexandra Park.

The Lazarus Effect (Lazarus) has drawn barrier five, with his main rivals Swayzee and Got The Chocolates drawing one and two respectively.

Outside of We Walk By Faith, the rest of the field is made up of R41 to R54 horses well outside the rating band of the leading four candidates in the race.

“They’re going to be running hard all the way and I’d rather get to the fence than getting stuck behind a couple of those other ones and having to make a run during the race. Some of them might get tired pretty early in the race so I don’t want to have to make a move too early.”

This will be The Lazarus Effect’s third race in as many weeks. He won the Taylor Mile, beating Got The Chocolates, before the finishing order was reversed in last week’s Roy Purdon Memorial.

“I’ve been rapt with the way he’s come through both the runs. I’m sure he’ll go another great race.”

Butt confirmed it’s highly unlikely The Lazarus Effect will head to Brisbane for feature races over there.

“I’d rather get him home because he’s such a great stand start horse (for the New Zealand Cup). Everything this time has been new to him. After this week it’ll be three hard weeks (of racing) in a row.”

Meanwhile Butt has two runners at Addington tomorrow night; Donna’s Boy (Pegasus Spur) and Sideshow Bruce (Sweet Lou).

Donna’s Boy was impressive in winning his last start in a fresh state.

“It’s definitely a winnable race. He’s a real progressive horse. He went great fresh up and he’ll be a lot better for that run. Hopefully the run this week can bring him on for the Uncut Gems next week.”

Sideshow Bruce is also a progressive type but faces the might of Marketplace (Bettor’s Delight) in the G2 Commodore Hotel Superstars Championship.

‘I’ve got a lot of time for him. He’s got a hell of a lot of ability but he’s still untapped. He’s such a big green raw bugger who just wants a few races in this grade to work out what it’s all about. Marketplace drawing one – it’s his race to lose, but my fella is definitely good enough to run a place.”

For complete Auckland fields, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink