The Lazarus Effect books NZ Cup ticket
- admin877793
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
It was a wonderful night for Lazarus at stud on Friday, as his two New Zealand Cup nominees stepped out in their first part of their Cup journey.
It started with an impressive front running display by The Lazarus Effect at Addington, who secured his place in this year’s great race with a win in the Group Three Maurice Holmes Vase.
And trainer-driver Bob Butt believes the best is yet to come.
The Lazarus Effect made full use of his excellent standing-start manners before his natural ability took over. After working to the lead through the middle stages, he was never seriously threatened, quickening strongly enough to hold Mo’unga at bay while Renegade battled bravely behind them.
Not only should The Lazarus Effect benefit from the run fitness-wise, but a small gear change could also make him a much more focused racehorse next time out.
“I left the blinds off tonight with him being fresh up and because of that he was terrible in front,” Butt said.
“So they will be going back on him next start.”
Butt explained that The Lazarus Effect did not always appear to be travelling comfortably over the final 600m, and was distracted with the lack of blinds in his fresh up winning performance.
On Monday morning Butt reported that the horse could be seen racing again at Addington soon.
“He pulled up great, and as long as he seems well we will definitely go to the New Brighton Cup next week,” he told Wai Eyre Farm.
“It’s just great to have him back racing.”
Now a $10 chance for the Cup, The Lazarus Effect could be the leading locally trained hope, with much depending how others progress over the next 10 weeks.
The Lazarus Effect has now taken his outstanding career record to 20 starts, 12 wins, 6 seconds and 1 third for $319,430 in stakes to date.
Meanwhile, fellow Lazarus New Zealand Cup nominee Jeremiah caught the eye at Cambridge on Friday evening, finishing an impressive third off his 30m handicap.
Co-trainer Scott Phelan was able to step the gelding away cleanly from the standing start, a key component in his Cup preparation, before settling well back in the funning.
With a fast tempo in front those further back struggled to make ground however Jeremiah exploded into the frame in the home straight, making up huge ground on a 56 last half and 27 final quarter by the winner.
Lazarus has just 15 five-year-olds registered in New Zealand and remarkably has two of them nominated for the New Zealand Cup.
Now the road to the Cup continues as the duo seek to emulate their great sire.
Lazarus stands for $5,000 plus GST in New Zealand only this season, and will serve a limited book. For mares served at Wai Eyre Farm this will include the working fee and vet fee, worth $1,000.
Talk to us today about tailoring a package that works for you, and send your mare to our own living legend in Lazarus.
A stallion who continues to leave horses of all ages who compete and win at the highest level worldwide.
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