Injury troubles for superstar
Champion pacer Lazarus is likely to miss Friday night’s A$400,000 WA Pacing Cup after suffering what is believed to be bruising in his feet.
After a gallant defeat at Gloucester Park in last Friday night’s Fremantle Cup, where he ran second to My Hard Copy, Lazarus was noticeably ginger on his hooves the next day.
‘‘It looks like just a bruise in the foot and I think that is what it is,’’ said co-trainer Mark Purdon on his and training partner Natalie Rasumussen’s All Stars Racing Stables website.
Lazarus was three wide for the duration of the 2536m trip and still only went down by a long neck.
And it’s not just this week’s Perth feature that could be in jeopardy, either.
‘‘I think the Hunter Cup could be in doubt. ‘‘But that is only a gut feeling. ‘‘With some luck it won’t be as bad as that.’’
The A$500,000 Hunter Cup is at Melton, in Victoria, on February 3.
Stablemate Ultimate Machete, fourth in the Fremantle Cup, was stood down by Stewards after the race after being found to be lame in the offside front leg.
Racing and Wagering West Australia Chairperson of Stewards, Barbara Scott, advises that a veterinary clearance will be required before Ultimate Machete can be accepted as a starter for the WA Cup.
‘‘We would need to have that vet certificate before he is drawn in to the field tomorrow.’’
Scott said she had not had any correspondence from regarding either horse.
Purdon noted that Ultimate Machete was on the improve and was still a chance of making the WA Cup.
‘‘We have poulticed his foot and he is walking without a problem.
‘‘With progress like that he should be, ok but we can’t say for sure.’’ - NZ Harness News. Purdon