Racing: Forgotten mare could take on champ

The Orange Agent could be aimed at the NZ Cup. Photo / Harness Racing Victoria

The forgotten challenger to Lazarus's third New Zealand Cup has taken a small step toward making the great race.

And while trainer Brian Hughes isn't getting carried away with The Orange Agent's comeback, he says if he gets the glamour mare back to her best he won't be scared to take on the champ.

The Orange Agent is on the third injury rehab of her career with a fracture in her cannon bone ending this season before it began but she had the hopples back on for the first time this preparation this week.

"It was nothing serious but was good to give her a slow hoppled run and so far so good," says Hughes.

"She looks good but very big so she is still a fair while away from racing."

Hughes says a successful comeback would still not see The Orange Agent at the races until the middle of winter, when the only lucrative targets would be in Australia.

"That might be one option but you would think she would need a race or two here first before throwing her in over there."

But if the now six-year-old mare holds together she would ultimately be aimed at the New Zealand Cup, with the great race probably in need of her help.

With so many big name pacers being exported this season, genuine group one rivals for Lazarus should he attempt to win his third Cup in November will be hard to find.

This season's placegetters, Jack's Legend and Tiger Tara, would be likely along with the emerging Star Galleria and Addington officials would love to get Soho Tribeca to the race but after that horses who could be deemed even mildly threatening to Lazarus's three-peat are scarce.

But The Orange Agent could be one. The winner of 23 of her 33 starts, she has beaten All Stars heroes before as an open class mare, coming from behind Smolda to win the City Of Auckland Free-For-All last season.

Beating Lazarus in a New Zealand Cup would be even tougher but Hughes says a fully-fit The Orange Agent would deserve her shot as a six-time national record holder.

"I am not saying she is going to win the New Zealand Cup but if she gets back to her best it would be a logical aim and you can't be scared of horses, and that includes Lazarus.

"So that is one race I would love to get her too, but we are a long way from that and we will take it one step at a time."

Punters who think Lazarus will have no stress joining Indianapolis, False Step and Terror To Love as a three-time NZ Cup winner can still get $2.50 from the TAB, odds that haven't moved even after his disappointing end to a stunning summer.