Just 10 days after his second New Zealand Cup triumph in Christchurch, champion Kiwi pacer Lazarus has been beaten in his first start in Perth's Inter Dominion series.
All the talk pre-race was whether Lazarus, from an outside draw, could match it with local star Soho Tribeca, who had drawn barrier two and was a likely leader.
Soho Tribeca's trainer, Kim Prentice, who won the 2003 Inter Dominion in Christchurch with Baltic Eagle, talked up a big game during the week. And he backed it up in spades.
Lazarus was brave in defeat, sitting parked for the last 1400m outside the winner, but a searing 54.5secs final half-mile meant he couldn't reel in the leader.
His co-trainer and driver, Mark Purdon, still managed feature race success with gun 4-year-old Ultimate Machete taking out the Group 1 A$125,000 ($138,500) Yes Loans 4YO Classic for him and partner Natalie Rasmussen.
