Big weekend for Lazarus – The Lazarus Effect favourite for Geraldine Cup

All eyes will be on The Lazarus Effect as he makes his grass track debut this Saturday at Orari Racecourse.

The four-year-old son of Lazarus will take his place in the Placemakers Timaru/Twizel/Oamaru Geraldine Cup, and was huge in his last start when finishing second to New Zealand Cup winner, Kingman, in the Group One Christian Cullen Classic last month.

After working hard early from the middle of the front row, he was forced to sit parked on a early hot pace before driver Carter Dalgety opted to push for the lead with a lap to go and take cover.

It wasn’t long until Kingman found the front, and The Lazarus Effect found himself three back on the fence.

While others felt the pressure of the frantic pace, he was full of running and was held up for room late in the run home. Once clear he made ground nicely and hit the line strongly to finish a length off Kingman.

It was an impressive first step into the Group One grade.

Trainer Bob Butt reports the horse pulled up well.

“I was interested to see how he’d bounce back after they went so hard but he hasn’t missed a beat.” Bob said.

“His main aim will be the Invercargill Cup going forward.”

After winning both of his starts as a three-year-old, the Lazarus Effect has continued to impress and rise to the occasion through every challenge he faces.

This weekend he faces another test as he steps from the 10m mark on the grass surface, in a field that includes Superstars Championship winner, Vessem, and former Welcome Stakes winner, It’s Tough.

When asked if he thought the grass may trip him up, Bob wasn’t sure.

“I wouldn’t really have a clue with him on the grass. But he’s a good pacer, I couldn’t see it worrying him. Hopefully it doesn’t take too much of his speed away.”

To date The Lazarus Effect boasts an impressive career record, 11 starts, 7 wins, three placings, $124,235 in earnings.

He is out of the unraced Art Major mare, Brook Street. He was bred by Martin Pierson and his Pierson Breeding Partnership.

The Lazarus Effect is a dominant favourite early on fixed odds, at the time of writing at $1.60. Trainer Bob Butt will return to the sulky to drive.

Quicker Than Quick will also represent Lazarus in Race 9 on Saturday at Orari, he’ll no doubt enjoy returning to the grass track surface with a proven record of six grass starts for two wins and two placings.

Just hours later, on the other side of the world, Lazarus has a strong hand to play at The Meadowlands in New Jersey.

In the $17,000 feature he has Beanzy Fresh, Laser Speed, Lazarus Star and Dismas.

Meadowlands commentator, Ken Warkentin, has been following the Lazarus stock with interest. And he particularly likes the chances of Laser Speed.

“Laser Speed was unraced at two, yet he’s been thriving this season at three, he has come on to find his best stride this fall,” Ken said.

The gelding has recently made the successful transition from racing at Yonkers to the Meadowlands and heading into Saturday he’s coming off a career best of 1:51.2.

“He’s mainly a stalking type with a nice late punch, he can really let down late.”

Dismas similarly has four wins in just 17 starts, and has a best mark of 1:51 which he recorded in Lexington. Dismas won at the Meadowlands back-to-back in November in 1:51.1 & 1:52.1.

Lazarus Star posted a career best of 1:52.2 on November 15, but last week unfortunately was wiped out by a breaking horse, and he’s won three of 34 lifetime starts.

Beanzy Fresh has come to life in his last two elsewhere, and has won two to date.

Both Beanzy Fresh and Dismas hail from the prominent Per Engblom stable.

“To me, Laser Speed was impressive last week. He showed speed, toughness to rebuff pressure and was quite eager to polish it off. He’s the one to beat. I do like Dismas, yet he’ll face a tall task from post nine.” Ken said.

Lazarus - the living Legend!

Soho Confuso has been a consistent performer for Lazarus at the Meadowlands, he’s won eight races to date in his career and will face off against another Lazarus runner in Knockin Out in race two on Sunday morning.

Lazarus stands at Wai Eyre Farm and is available to mares in New Zealand and Australia. 

His Service fee is $4,000.00 plus gst in NZ and $5,500.00 including gst in Australia 

For mares bred at Wai Eyre, his service fee INCLUDES the vet package and working fee.