The Lazarus Effect and Jumal star in first races at Alexandra Park

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  

In his first look at Alexandra Park, The Lazarus Effect again showed he is a star on the rise in Friday night's Group 3 Lincoln Farms Founders Cup.

In a star-studded field that included the likes of reigning Horse of the Year Republican Party and Merlin, The Lazarus Effect got the perfect run in the trail before trainer-driver Bob Butt popped outside the pace-setting Sooner The Bettor.

He then wore down the leader to win by around half a length. 

It was The Lazarus Effect's ninth win in just 15 starts.

"I thought halfway down that I had him," said Butt of the battle with Sooner The Bettor.

"The race worked out perfect ..... he did everything right and zipped home good."

Merlin finished strongly on the markers from last to claim third while Republican Party didn't make much of an impression after being second last at the 600 to finish seventh.

In his last start The Lazarus Effect finished second behind boom three-year-old Jumal at Addington last month.

The Steven Reid-trained star was another of Friday's star performers at the Park with an impressive win in the first of the night's four Group races as part of the Northern Lights Autumn Carnival.

He improved his career record to eight wins from nine starts with an emphatic showing in the Group 2 Alabar 3YO Classic Mobile.  

A $1.30 favourite, Sam Ottley pushed Jumal on to the lead from a wide draw and it was game over.

She controlled the tempo and then cruised to victory with Allamericanplayer second.

"He's a wee beauty," said Ottley post race, "full credit to him. It's his first time here (Auckland) and he's a true professional."

Jumal is now a $1.25 favourite for next week's Harness Million.

The Brett Gray-trained Miki's Deal followed up her last start win at Winton with an upset victory in Group 2 the Caduceus Club 3YO Fillies Ladyship Stakes. 

The southerner drew wide and worked hard and still proved too good for $1.30 favourite All Of Me who settled back early and then was urged to the lead a lap out.

After sitting parked, it was Miki's Deal's fourth win in eight starts

"She was never on the track and needed to be too good and she was," said driver Matty Williamson.

"It was ugly."

In the night's feature trot there were contrasting fortunes for trainers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett in the Group 3 Majestic Horse Floats Greenlane Cup.

Favourite Hillbilly Blues' chances were extinguished with an early gallop only for stablemate Belle Neige and Crystal Hackett to sit parked and then just edge out the pace-setting Meant To be.

"It's a privilege to get to drive her really," says Crystal Hackett.

It was Belle Neige's 10th win in 28 starts.

Oscar Bonavena battled into sixth with Hillbilly Blues just behind him in seventh.