MASTER LAVROS OFFICIALLY OUT OF DOMINION
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones has officially confirmed top squaregaiter Master Lavros won’t be ready for November’s Dominion Handicap.
Master Lavros, shown winning his second G1 Dominion last November. Time is against him defending his title this year.
Mark withdrew the giant trotter this week, not wanting to rush his preparation for the Group One 3200m staying test, as the horse comes back from injury last term.
Second withdrawals for the Dominion are due on Wednesday, October 12, at 3pm.
The TAB futures market for the Dominion has Monbet, the reigning Harness Horse Of The Year, a hot $1.70 favourite.
Emerging star Amaretto Sun is the $9.50 second favourite after his decisive win in last week’s Ordeal Trotting Cup.
Established star Stent is the $10 third favourite, with Sheemon at $16, and good racemare, Sunny Ruby and Habibti, equal early fifth favourites at $18.
One Over Da Moon shares the next line of betting at $21, along with Australian entrees, Keystone Del and Glenferrie Typhoon, followed by Alley Way, now trained by Phil Williamson, and Harriet Of Mot, at $26.
Last Sunday’s Oamaru winner Jag’s Invasion, and former Scandanavian trotter Daryl Boko, are at $31, followed by Kyvalley Spur ($41); Harrysul ($51); Arya and Waterloo Sunset ($61); Valmagne and Quite A Moment ($71); Le Reveur ($81); Bordeaux, Monty Python, Paramount Dream and Scarrymcleary ($91); others $100-plus.
The most notable early withdrawal for November’s Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup is the Barry Purdon-trained Hug The Wind.
Early Cup favourite is last season’s Auckland Cup and Miracle Mile winner Have Faith In Me at $3.20, just ahead of stablemate and last season’s top 3YO, Lazarus, at $3.40.
The third favoured All Stars entrant, Smolda, shares the third line of Cup betting at $7.50 with last season’s Easter Cup winner, Locharburn, who resumed with a first-up win over Tiger Tara and Franco Nelson in the Maurice Holmes Vase on September.
Former Horse of the Year Christen Me, now eight, is a $9 chance this year, followed by Franco Nelson and Tiger Tara (both at $13), Titan Banner ($15), Seel The Deal and Philadelphia Man ($26), Messini ($36); Costa Del Magnifico, Didjamakem Bolt and Franco Ledger (a query after the Hannon) at ($41); No Doctor Needed ($51); Cullect A Guinness ($71); Brilliant Strike, Mighty Flying Mac and Quick As A Trick ($81), others $100-plus.