But when the race only got three entries I had to put the other two in otherwise it would have been scrapped.
Laz being Laz he will go great and the race wont hurt him but being a five-year-old stallion he has taken a little longer to come up, whereas Heaven Rocks is right in the zone.
Heaven Rockss manners seem good too and while you can never be sure, we are going into the race expecting him to be too fit for Lazarus at this stage.
Anything can happen in racing but I think it is important punters know this race wasnt initially going to be on Lazs programme and he might need a run or two before he is back to his best.
Heaven Rocks opened the favourite for tonights next step on the path to the New Zealand Cup because he easily accounted for Lazarus in a Rangiora trial last week and looks far more advanced, being an athletic gelding.
His manners have let him down in the past but Purdon is adamant he has been a more relaxed horse at home and with the small field providing him with a lot of room to move early tonight he is the stables top tip.
While that may surprise plenty, so too will co-trainer Natalie Rasmussens choice of drives in the first southern Sires Stakes heat as she partners Chase Auckland rather than the horse who looked our most rawly-talented juvenile last term in The Devils Own.
Nat has been thrilled with Chase Auckland in his two runs and The Devils Own could need a race so we rate him our best chance tonight.
Purdon suggests Prince Fearless, the one-time boom trotter returning from a disappointing Australian campaign, can upset in the $30,000 Canterbury Park Trotting Cup.
He meets an interesting bunch with little between them in ability with the exception of Wilmas Mate, who faces a 10m handicap in the capacity field.
He [Prince Fearless] has really improved in his work lately and could be a good chance.