Pacing sensation chasing slice of history

PACING sensation Lazarus is aiming for a slice of history at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night.

Chasing a berth in next week’s Miracle Mile, Lazarus is poised to contest the Canadian Club Sprint, which serves as a qualifier for Australia’s premier speed test.

The Sprint also carries Group One status, meaning victory will be Lazarus’ 16th at the highest level.

As it stands, the stallion is equal with former champion, Westburn Grant, for the most Group One triumphs.

Also a stallion, Westburn Grant captured 15 Group Ones, including become the first pacer to secure consecutive Miracle Miles.

Drawn to lead from the pole, Lazarus is a $1.20 favourite with TAB Fixed odds.

“He’s very good within himself and ready to go,” co-trainer Mark Purdon said. “After he travelled up to Sydney from Melbourne he had couple of quite days to recover from the run in the Hunter Cup.

“He has bounced back and seems good for Saturday night’s race.

“We will be trying to hold up from one, which will make him very hard to get passed.”

Purdon and co-trainer Natalie Rasmussen also have enigmatic pacer Heaven Rocks in the first qualifier, with the son of Rock N Roll Heaven drawn the widest gate due to his outside of the draw status.

Heaven Rocks finished third in the Hunter Cup a fortnight ago after winning the Ballarat Cup two weeks earlier.

“The draw makes it tough for him, but he is in good shape and will go well,” Purdon said.