Patriarch leads the way for Lazarus

Lazarus continues to turn heads around the world, with his progeny standing up on a regular basis in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

Western Australia has been particularly popular for Lazarus, with Nathan Street in the spotlight of late and more recently the NZ bred two-year-old star, Patriarch.

Patriarch

When Patriarch left New Zealand shores last year he already showed plenty of promise, recording one second and two thirds from just four starts as a two-year-old for trainer Greg Payne.

He also started in the Group One 2YO Classic at Ascot Park.

After those four starts, Patriarch was sold to Western Australia in September and joined the Michael Young stable.

He’s been impressive since, winning three times from four Australian starts, including his first two races at Gloucester Park. Ironically, Gloucester Park is where Lazarus raced to Interdominion Grand Final victory in 2017.

In his first appearance he impressed followers showing great heart. Being forced to race wide early and then sit parked, before winning by five lengths and rating 1.55.8 over 2130m.

His second win at Gloucester Park was just as tough, backed into a short $1.70 favourite Patriarch worked overtime wide early to get handy and then rolled to the lead with 500m to run. He cleared out to win gamely by two lengths.

Win three came at Albany on December 19, where he was dominant once again over 1832m. He was again forced to work hard early, moving three wide to sit parked before pouring the pressure on with 400m to run. He ground into his work nicely to wear down the leader and win going away from the field.

Patriarch was bred in Canterbury by Elizabeth and Brian Steele, out of the Lis Mara mare, Motu Make A Splash.

The Cambest and Cam’s Card Shark line through his dam and sire line create a strong Cam Fella double up back in his pedigree, respected by many in the breeding game to be the powerplay line to follow.

“We have been following his career and are just wrapped with the way he has been going. He’s won three of four in Aussie now and the only miss he had a little gallop, so he’s really done a great job,” said Elizabeth.

Now a three-year-old, she expects the horse to only improve on his last season.

“He’s a very strong horse anyway, he has been right from day dot, so I am sure he will only get better with age and carry on and do a great job. We are just so happy with what he has done.”

“He was a lovely type as a foal, well put together and very strong.”

When asked why they chose Lazarus in their breeding decision for Motu Make A Splash, Elizabeth said it was an easy choice.

“Why wouldn’t you want to go to a stallion like Lazarus. He did everything on the track and was a wonderful racehorse. And I think we do have to support the New Zealand breed, he’s doing a great job,” said Elizabeth.

“When I send another mare back to stud next season I think I will definitely be wanting another Lazarus.”

On other runners by Lazarus -  This Friday night, Nathan Street will return to Gloucester Park, where he will compete in the third heat of the Nights of Thunder series.

His recent outings have been hampered by bad luck from unruly draws, but this week comes back into the field with barrier three.

The Group One winner is now with the Gary Hall senior barn, and is looking to take his place in the open summer features in Western Australia this season.

Grevis (Lazarus) will also race at Gloucester Park on Friday, in race nine a conditioned standing start pace over 2500m. He bounced back to form with a solid second placing two starts ago.