First Australasian stakes winner for Lazarus

The Elizabeth Heath trained Sir Knight became the first Group Race winner for the two-time New Zealand Harness Horse of the Year Lazarus when he took out the $100,000 Group 2 NSW Breeders Challenge Final for 2YO Colts and Geldings at Menangle on Saturday evening.

Three back on the rail with 600m to go, Sir Knight sprinted home strongly to dash though a gap between the pacemaker and the parked horse to win by half a length.

He rated 1:55.8 for the mile and sprinted home in 26.7 – the fastest last quarter of the night outside of last yearʻs Victoria Cup winner Rock N Roll Doo in the Group 1 Len Smith Mile.

Bred and raced by Reg Walsh, Sir Knight is out of the Jennas Beach Boy mare Shalom.

Lazarusʻ daughter Stylish Lazarus finished third in the $100,000 2YO Fillies Final.

To date, Lazarus is the sire of nine first crop 2-year-old winners from sixteen starters down-under.