Lazarus the star at the New Zealand Trotting Cup 2016

Lazarus in action (Getty image)
Lazarus in action (Getty image)

Red-hot favourite Lazarus has claimed the New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington in Christchurch, slaying the rest of the field by over 10 lengths.

With 1400 metres to go, Lazarus raced to the front and couldn't be caught as it streaked ahead, leaving Tiger Tara to come second and Titan Banner and Smolda third and fourth respectively.

Lazarus was a near-unbackable favourite, paying just $2 to win. And whilst it was talked up in the days prior to the race, trainer and driver Mark Purdon took nothing for granted.

"It's just one of the proudest moments in harness racing for me," he said.

"Coming round the turn I had a handful of him ... I said 'come on boy, let's put on a break on them. He put it beyond doubt in 50 metres."

Purdon has won the New Zealand Trotting Cup four times however none this quick, breaking the national record with a run registering three minutes 53.1 seconds.

Training partner Natalia Rasmussen didn't experience the same luck as Purdon with her drive, Have Faith In Me, breaking on the back straight.

Newshub.