Better race minus Lazarus

Taking Lazarus out of the New Zealand Free-For-All should have a detrimental impact, but his omission from this year’s Show Day feature may, in fact, enhance it.

Had he been there, and not on a plane to Perth, where he will chase Inter Dominion glory, the New Zealand Trotting Cup king of Tuesday would have started as short as he did two days ago - and probably won again.

But his absence opens the door for the Group One event and will allow any one of a plethora of chances in the race to step up and grab glory during harness racing’s biggest week. Logic would suggest that Tuesday’s place-getters, Jack’s Legend and Tiger Tara are the most likely to step in.

Jack’s Legend has the best of the barrier draws from three while Tiger Tara will start from a little wider, in barrier five.

While Lazarus is gone and will also be without Have Faith In Me, Piccadilly Princess and Heaven Rocks Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen will still have a strong hand. Rasmussen will jump on board the also Perth-bound Ultimate Machete and Purdon will steer Dream About Me.