All eyes on The Lazarus Effect in toughest test yet: Jonny Turner
Jonny Turner • June 6th, 2025 8:55 AM • 3 min read
Rival camps have plenty to worry about ahead of The Lazarus Effect putting his unbeaten record on the line at Addington on Friday night.
On exposed form, the pacer looks incredibly hard to beat in his attempt to make it four-from-four for trainer-driver Bob Butt.
The Lazarus Effect was explosive in his return to racing at Winton late last month, charging to an easy victory in slick time against race-hardened opposition.
The worrying part for his opposition in Friday night’s opener is that the four-year-old will return to the track fitter and stronger.
“He only had the one trial before he went down south,” Butt said. “He seems to have really come on with the run and the trip down there.”
On Friday night, The Lazarus Effect faces the toughest test of his career so far in terms of ratings — but it looks well within his range.
“It is a nice enough wee field. There are a couple of handy ones in there,” Butt said. “But he is a pretty progressive horse himself, and he has drawn inside the better ones.”
Butt starts a strong team at Addington, including the talented first-starter One Eye Bandit. The pacer is appropriately named, given he only has one eye — and, strangely enough, it’s also a factor punters may need to consider.
“I’ve put him on the unruly because he can get a bit nervy behind the gate,” Butt said. “Because he’s only got the one eye, he gets a bit wound up and wants to look around at what’s going on.”
“Once he gets going he is pretty good.” “Being his first start under lights — it’s all going to be new to him.” “Hopefully he can do things right, because he has got the ability.”
After winning a similar mares’ race on her last visit to the track, Dynasty looks a good chance of doubling up on Friday night. “I freshened her up after her last win and she has been working really well. She should be a pretty good chance.”
Amendment is set to start a short-priced favourite in her debut for the Butt stable on Friday night.
The mare has shown plenty of ability in her trials, but she galloped early in her latest hit-out.
“She went to go a wee bit fast at the trials and made a mistake.” “Her run after that was good. She’s a good chance if she can bring her manners.”
Butt also starts his consistent maidener Crystal on Friday night, as well as stable newcomer Stephs Boy.
