VICTORIAN DERBY WIN BY LAZARUS - ONE FOR THE AGES

Outstanding 3yo Lazarus produced one of the great Victorian Derby victories in the top races rich history when he contested the event at Melton. Afforded no favours at any stage of the race, the son of champion stallion Bettor’s Delight was wide early and sat in the chair through a punishing final half to score an outstanding victory. He paced his final half in 54.7 and closing quarter in 26.4. Put in perspective, he paced 0.7 seconds quicker for his last half than the winner of the Victoria Cup and sat in the death in doing so. He has clearly stamped himself as the best 3yo ‘down under’. For Bettor’s Delight other good winners included Ohoka Punter who won the Pure Steel at Melton, which is a key lead up race to the Hunter Cup, Have Faith In Me sat parked to win the Group 2 Paleface Adios at Menangle and he is now nominal favourite for the Chariots of Fire and champion pacer Beautide is headed towards the Miracle Mile following an effortless victory at Menangle. American Ideal’s top son Bling It On, became his first millionaire ‘down under’ when he ran a gutsy race in the Victorian Cup. He has been at all the races along the way and has always bought his ‘A Game’. American Ideal’s son Star Of Dionysis remains undefeated in Australia, following his victory in the Central Victorian Pacing Championships. The Andy Gath trained pacer defied all challengers to the $20,000 race. American Tart was an impressive Invercargill winner and looks headed for bigger things, she paced home in 55.5. Pegasus Spur enjoyed a good week with winners in Southland Reflector, Sarah Lindenny and Monty Python who all won in the shaky isles. With February here, the annual round of yearling sales commences in Melbourne on February 7th, we wish all vendors the best of luck.  

LAZARUS LOOK SHARP IN VICTORIAN DERBY HEAT

Outstanding 3yo pacer Lazarus, bought his ‘A’ game across the ditch to easily win his heat of the Victorian Derby at Ballarat. The son of champion stallion Bettor’s Delight will be nominal favourite for the blue riband classic to be held at Melton on Victoria Cup night. Lazarus sat in the chair to win his heat and did so in a 1.56.5 mile rate. This was win number 11 in a career of just 13 starts and he has bankrolled over $500,000 in stakes. Lazarus’s stablemate Have Faith In Me crossed the ditch also but was in Sydney to prepare for the Chariots of Fire, he too was an effortless winner in 1.52 and change against his older rivals, he was one of three winners sired by Bettor’s Delight on the same card, the others to greet the judge where Ivegottalife and Express Stride. American Ideal had a very good week on both sides of the Tasman, with a number of winners. American Spirit remains undefeated following a tough win at Wyndham, American Tart was a very impressive winner on debut at Marlborough in the hands of John Dunn, she scooted home in 56.4. In the Sunshine state he sired winners in American Legend at Albion Park and Margins at Redcliffe. Out west, the Woodlands Stud bred That’s Rite was an easy winner at Bunbury and American Angel scored at Albany and at Rotorua he sired a double when Wave Song and Hartofdixie both won on the grass. For resident trotting stallion Pegasus Spur, Fiftyshadesofbrown was a winner at Warrugal.