Lazarus scans are just precautionary

When the news broke late last week that the champion three year old colt Lazarus had shown signs of a bit of trouble brewing, the harness racing pundits immediately had the glamour colt at deaths door.

Co-trainer Natalie Rasmussen was amused with some of the stories that came out over the weekend.

" Over here they have just about retired him already."

"He worked this morning with Have Faith In Me so he can't be too bad."

"It is just a precaution but there doesn't need to be too much wrong to bring the Derby at Auckland into doubt."

"You wouldn't risk a horse like that."

"We have plenty of runners in that and have decided Stroke of Luck deserves his chance if he can show the right form in the lead up race."

"Dream About Me is running in the Derby at this stage but we are keeping our options open there because we have to see how she comes through the Oaks over here next week."

"Even then it will probably be quite a late decision but we have Golden Goddess in the Oaks at this stage and those two are sort of like Waikiki Beach and Lazarus when it comes to a clash."

"Fight for Glory had the ideal hit out last night (Friday)." 

"She is a pudgy little thing and she just got away on us she was doing so well"

" I didn't have to do much until the 600 metres and she did some good work from there so it was just perfect from our point of view.

Natalie was particularly happy with how the team went at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night.

" Its was all good news from here."

"Waikiki Beach and Dream About Me both had to step up and I wasn't surprised that they did."

" I had done the form and thought we would have to work."

" They both did the job and were running around the paddock this morning so all is well."

" They had to run some fast quarters especially that last one for Dream About Me but she is such a good filly."

"She just goes out and does it."

"They ran Smolda close but while he looked under pressure late, its a different thing when you actually want to go past the old guy."

" He is inclined to just ease off when he is in front," Natalie said.

Courtesy of David McCarthy – All Stars Racing Stables  –  Check site here