Mark Purdon after winning the Victoria Derby aboard Lazarus.
Returning after his stunning win in the VHRSC Victoria Derby Final tonight at Tabcorp Park Melton, Mark Purdon acknowledged the throng who clearly appreciated the performance of victorious Lazarus.
The champion three-year-old rose to the occasion, overcoming a tough trip to outlast a talented field of young guns, claiming the lion’s share of the $200,000 prize pool for the Group 1 classic.
The crowd appreciated it, applauding the son of Bettors Delight/Bethany.
“He had to be good tonight,” Purdon admitted.
He sure did. Race leader Dont Hold Back shot clear on the home corner, Greg Sugars having rated the Mario Attard-trained pacer through early splits of 30.5, 30.3 and 28.7secs.
“Around the corner he lost a little bit of ground, but when we straightened up and I pulled the plugs and asked for it, he was just too supreme,” Purdon said.
The final quarter was covered in a super-slick 26.3secs, the winning mile rate 1:55.1.
“He did all the work the last 1000m or so,” Purdon said.
“This guy just gives you all the good vibes.”
Purdon almost made it a classic double on night one of the TAB.com.au Summer of Glory with a fast-finishing second aboard Smolda behind Lennytheshark in the Good Form Victoria Cup.
Husband and wife team Andy and Kate Gath dominated proceedings with a winning treble courtesy of Four Needed, Glenferrie Typhoon and Endsino.
Media enquiries:
CODY WINNELL
COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA MANAGER
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
PO BOX 184, MOONEE PONDS, VIC 3039
400 EPSOM ROAD, FLEMINGTON, VIC 3031
t: 03 8378 0288 | f: 03 9214 0699 | e: cwinnell@hrv.org.au
www.hrv.org.au
