Pacing hero Lazarus may not have got the best draw in Saturday's A$400,000 Victoria Cup but it was better than his main rival's.
And that was enough to see his price slashed in what promises to be one of the races of the year.
The New Zealand Cup winner will start from barrier six in the 2240m mobile at Melton, second from the outside of the front line.
But that, on paper at least, looks a lot better than key rival Hectorjayjay, who will start from two on the second line.
That should give Lazarus a decent tactical advantage at the start and trainer-driver Mark Purdon the option of pressing forward and staying in front of Hectorjayjay.