Owner gets it right
Trevor Casey raising his arms in triumph told the story.
With only two numbers – the ideal two and the dreaded 10 – left on the table at Sunday’s crucial barrier draw for the A$1.1 million Inter Dominion final, Casey pulled the right rein to draw barrier two.
Previously, Lazarus’ co-trainer and driver Mark Purdon said there were only two draws he did not want. Barrier one or barrier
10.
Casey, who races the champion pacer with Phil and Glenys Kennard and Kevin Riseley, was more aware than anyone that his
50-50 chance with the two remaining numbers could decide the race.
‘‘You’ll see the real Lazarus,’’ Casey said of his chances in the final that takes place on Friday night (Saturday morning NZT) at Gloucester Park in Perth.
Lazarus, the pre-barrier draw favourite, is almost certain to hold that tag following the draw.
Purdon has been glowing in his praise for the way Lazarus has come through his track record win in the final round of heats last Friday night.
An emotional Casey told the crowd at the barrier draw that it was a privilege just to own a horse like Lazarus.
Purdon, who trains in partnership with four-time Inter Dominion winning driver Natalie Rasmussen, won the 2016 final with the now-retired Smolda.
Lazarus, who won his second New Zealand Trotting Cup last month, may have to sit parked for the 2936 metre mobile race but that is unlikely to faze Purdon over a distance that will suit Lazarus more than most.
But in a blow to Lazarus’ chances, former Kiwi Tiger Tara, who defeated Lazarus in the second round of heats, will start from barrier one.
Tiger Tara’s driver Todd McCarthy will likely look to lead all the way around the tight Gloucester Park circuit.
Now trained by Kevin Pizzuto, Tiger Tara, fresh from his pair of Group I placings at Addington during Cup week, led all the way from barrier one in the second round of heats when he defeated Lazarus.
Another former Kiwi, Chicago Bull will start directly behind Tiger Tara by virtue of being the last horse to draw a number after Casey and Lazarus.
Lennytheshark, the 2016 winner of the Inter Dominion final at Gloucester Park, will start from barrier six.
Lazarus’ stablemate Have Faith In Me, who only snuck into the field by way of committee discretion after he was tied for the tenth and final spot in the field with the Kiwi-owned Ohoka Punter plus Devendra and Major Crocker, has been dealt a blow after drawing barrier nine.