MASTER LAVROS SOUND AFTER BEING NOSED OUT AT OMAKAU
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones says top trotter Master Lavros has pulled up well from his surprise defeat by Monty Python in the free-for-all trot at Omakau on Monday.
Master Lavros, narrowly beaten at Omakau but has come through the race well.
“He’s pulled up good and sound,” Mark said.
“We will look at the local free-for-all races with him. We are just happy to have him back racing,” he said.
Given veterinary opinion was that Master Lavros was unlikely to race again after suffering a bad suspensory injury at Auckland just over 12 months ago, the former two-time Dominion Handicap winner has defied the odds by making a return to racing.
However, the winner of nearly $600,000 remains a day-to-day proposition with each race a bonus.
Master Lavros, who dominated the betting in Monday’s free-for-all, worked to the front, as expected, in the Alexandra Super Liquor/Macca Lodge FFA Trot at Omakau but had to slog it out with Monty Python over the final 100 metres.
The Phil Williamson-trained Monty Python came off his back with a sling-shot finish and although Master Lavros tried to hold him out the latter had the momentum up at the right time for Matty Williamson and had his nose in front at the line.
Monty Python, now the winner of 10 from 55 starts for $89,382 in stakes, was recording his first win for nearly 12 months but had been consistent in the interim.
The 7YO Pegasus Spur gelding trotted the 2600m in 3:19.1 (2:03.2 mile rate), with the leaders running their last 800m in 58.7s and final 400m in 28.6s.
By Jeff Scott