Pacing freak chasing a share of history

FREAKISH pacer Lazarus will chase a share of history during the next few weeks.

Fresh from his breathtaking victory in last night’s A G Hunter Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton, Lazarus has been aimed at the Miracle Mile.

Australasia’s premier sprint, the Miracle Mile is scheduled to be run at Menangle on February 24.

Should Lazarus capture the time-honoured event, he will become just the third pacer to secure Australia’s big three in the same season.

The Inter Dominion, Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile have been conducted simultaneously since the latter’s introduction to the racing calendar in 1967.

Lazarus completed the first part of the equation in Perth last December.

Only Preux Chevalier in 1985 and Village Kid the following season have achieved the feat.

Before heading to Western Australia Lazarus annexed the New Zealand Cup, with no pacer ever winning the Shaky Isles’ premier event as well as the three top Aussie majors, let alone in the same season.

“He will have a few easy days now, then head to Sydney for the Miracle Mile lead up races,” co-trainer Mark Purdon said.

“We couldn’t be happier with him and hopefully he can do just as well up there.”

With Purdon in the cart during his latest triumph, Lazarus stunned his rivals by racing three-wide into the ‘death seat’ before scoring from Soho Tribeca and Heaven Rocks.

Adding to the sheer arrogance of his performance, the five-year-old rated 1:54.1 over 2760 metres, slashing a second off Bling It On’s track record established in last year’s Cup.

“Down the back when Tiger Tara led the field in 26.9 seconds we were chasing hard, but Lazarus just finds something special and keeps going,” Purdon said.

“It was a super win and he is without doubt the best I’ve ever trained.”