The much anticipated clash of Lazarus and Heaven Rocks at Addington on Friday night fell flat yesterday, but there is a chance it may be revived.
Trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen had previously indicated Friday night's group 2 Canterbury Classic at Addington would be the starting point for their two superstar pacers.
However, when nominations closed, not only was Lazarus conspicuously absent but so were nearly all of the South Island's open-class pacers.
Despite the first three placegetters in the race receiving automatic qualification for the New Zealand Cup, only three horses - Heaven Rocks, Have Faith In Me and Seal The Deal - were nominated.
As it stands, the race would be cancelled if it was only able to attract three horses, Addington racing manager Brian Rabbit said.
However, with nominations being reopened until 10am, there was a good hope the race would get under way, he said.
Rabbit was advised by Mark Purdon that he would consider starting Lazarus and possibly one more horse in the event.
The administrator had also spoken to other trainers, including John Dunn, the manager of Robert Dunn's Canterbury stable, which gave him confidence that the race would be able to attract enough horses to get off the ground, he said.
The Dunn stable has New Zealand Cup-nominated pacers Robbie Burns and Alta Orlando in another event on Friday night's programme.
But with both pacers sitting outside of a top 15 ranking that would enable them start in the New Zealand Cup, the prospect of automatic qualification could lure their connections to start in the Canterbury Classic.
Gavin Smith's Imola is also in the same position, being ranked 18th in the order of entry for the Cup while also being nominated for Friday night's rating 60 and faster handicap pace.
Otago pacers Titan Banner and New Years Jay have featured in all three New Zealand Cup lead-ups so far this season so there is little chance of them being nominated late for Friday night's race.
That is especially the case for New Years Jay who is only in light training while being prepared to be mated to rookie sire Sweet Lou.
The group 3 Canterbury Park Trotting Cup has attracted 15 nominations. Should they accept, Great Things Happen, Bordeaux, Prince Fearless and Wilma's Mate will make their returns to the track this season in the race.
