Leading the charge on Orari today is The Lazarus Effect ($1.60FF), who lines up in the Placemakers Timaru/Twizel/Oamaru Geraldine Cup for $25,000 over the 2850m stand.
The four year old Lazarus The gelding has won seven from just 11 starts plus three placings, including his last start when he distanced himself from New Zealand Cup winner Kingman in Group 1 Christian Cullen at Addington.
“He continues to go one step further every time. He came through his last start very well,” said trainer/driver Bob Butt.
“Hopefully he can make a good start. It’s a good small field.”
“Obviously his first start on grass is always a bit of a question.”
“He’s there for some more standing start training before we go to the Invercargill Cup (December 19).”
Other odds in the event include the Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained It’s Tough ($3.10FF), while the rest have a case to fill minor placings.
Butt also has a big chance in the trotting version of the Geraldine Cup in Race 10, the Fresh Choice Geraldine Trotters Cup over 2500 meters with Tactical Bid ($4.60FF).
“I Dream Of Jeanie and Maui have done great against the big guns. They are coming into the race well. Tactical Bid has the engine and a big future. He is still learning and needs to get the hang of things.”
Butt’s opportunities for today don’t end there. One Eye Bandit ($5.00FF) lines up for Race 9, the Hobbs and Banks Transport Pace. The aptly named three-year-old Always B Miki gelding has shown Butt enough to suggest his time will come, but is still riding around with the ‘L’ plates on for now.
“He got a little lost last week. I thought we’d do some grass track racing now with bigger fields so he can learn how to race. He has his talents, and one day he’ll be a fun horse.”
In the final race of the day, Race 11, the Ecolab Mobile Pace Butt Crystal ($14.00FF) lines up. Despite being pulled in the parking lot, Butt still believes she is racing well enough to make an appearance depending on the pace of the race.
“She’s been doing well every week, but she can’t do any work on the fly. It’s going to make it difficult with that draw, so hopefully if there’s some speed on it she might be able to follow it.”
Butt will also previously wear Paul Nairn’s colors behind Wilma’s Boy ($3.00FF) in Race 6, the McMillan Equine Feeds Trot over 2500m. Freshen up today with a 10m handicap Butt believes the four-year-old gelding should be ready for a bold return.
“He should be pretty hard to beat.”
Race one starts at 12:05 p.m.
For full race entries, click here.
Through Mike Lovefor Harness Racing New Zealand
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