Son of Lazarus kicks off new campaign in style

New Zealand harness racing’s richest son of dual hemisphere shuttle stallion, Lazarus, made a welcome return to northern headquarters tonight with a gritty winning effort under the ‘ribbon of light’.

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained Jeremiah has shown in a limited career to date that he has inherited a fair amount of his champion father’s ability.

The three-year-old pacer has been competitive among the best in his age group having finished third in the Listed $200,000 NZB Harness Million Final back in February.

Making his first start since a luckless seventh in G1 $203,000 Great Northern Derby in March, Jeremiah was backed into heavy favouritism for his resumption on the back of an impressive winning workout just over a fortnight ago.

Guided by his regular pilot and co-trainer, Scott Phelan, Jeremiah was away quickly from barrier four and found himself heading the nine horse field 100m after dispatch.

The pair navigated the first lap largely unchallenged but with the judges bell and a lap to go found themselves being pressured by another fresh up runner in the Arna Donnelly trained Mako (Downbytheseaside) and Benjamin Butcher.

With the speed well and truly on down the back straight the final time, the talented duo of three-year-old’s matched strides around the final bend and looked set for a great tussle down the Alexandra Park straight.

The son of Lazarus always had the upperhand of the gallant Mako, but had ti withstand a late challenge from the six win six-year-old Hooray Henry (Auckland Reactor) who had the cold shot at him late having sat in the trail for the 2200m journey.

JEREMIAH REPLAY

In Aaron White’s words, “Jeremiah stuck well and stuck bravely” to hold out the challengers by a head in a 1:58.5 mile rate, posting a slick 2:42 for the 2200m journey with the effort seeing the Purdon/Phelan charge firm into a $14 ninth favourite for the NZ Derby at Addington later in the spring.

It was the three-year-old gelding’s third career win at his eighth race day start and bodes well for his much bigger assignments later in the season.

For complete Alexandra Park results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink