By Jonny Turner
Carter Dalgety is opting for quality rather than quantity this harness racing weekend.
Dalgety heads to Winton on Thursday to team up with a select book of drives including The Lazarus Effect.
The talented pacer will put his unbeaten record for trainer Bob Butt on the line in search of a penalty-free junior driver’s win.
“I was thrilled to get the call-up from Bob,” Dalgety said.
“I know he has always been a lovely horse, even before he raced Nathan Purdon had a good opinion of him.”
“Then he was super impressive in his two starts for Bob.”
“He has had a few issues along the way but it is great that Bob has him going well again.”
“His trial at Rangiora was very impressive, he probably isn’t going to need to run a faster quarter on Thursday.”
The Lazarus Effect zipped over his final 400m in 26sec to win his only public appearance since winning on New Zealand Cup Day of last year.
The pacer heads to Winton unbeaten in two starts, while also having won all of his trials and workouts.
Dalgety also combines with Tokyo Rose in heat two of the Silk Road Series at Winton on Thursday.
Though the mare has drawn out in barrier 7, she looks well placed after taking on good company at Addington recently.
“She has run into some smart horses lately,” Dalgety said.
“I haven’t driven her for a little while, but she has gone some decent races even though she hasn’t been in the money lately.”
“I think the Winton track will really suit her, she’s a handy chance.”
Sheila Laxon appears to be another key drive for Dalgety following her fresh-up victory at Ashburton recently.
“Her maiden win was nice, it is never easy for any horse to step up into that next grade.”
“But she looks to have a bit of upside to her.”
Dalgety also links up with stablemates Erratic and Sherwood Maggie at Winton.
The reinsman’s attention will turn to Group 1 racing at Addington on Friday night.
Dalgety will link up with the top dog among New Zealand’s two-year-old male pacing ranks in Fugitive, who starts in the New Zealand Welcome Stakes.
“He has been up a long time, he was trialling early and he obviously started in the first heat of the Young Guns.”
“But he keeps thriving, the trip to Auckland seems to have made him.”
“He is doing really well and I can’t wait to drive him again this week.”
“
He is in a really great space at the moment.”
Fugitive is set to start an even hotter favourite than The Lazarus Effect.
Fugitive has been backed into $1.35 favouritism, with The Lazarus Effect rated at $1.40 in early betting.