MASTER LAVROS WINS AT CUP TRIALS
Master Lavros began swiftly and was untroubled to win at the NZ Cup trials on Wednesday, November 7.
He soon led and drew clear to win untested in in 3:25.3 (2600m stand), picking up the tempo over his last 800m in 59s and his closing 400m in 29.6s.
He has been ticking over nicely since gaining a penalty-free junior drivers win for Regan Todd at Rangiora on September 20.
The big 4YO Sundon gelding is raced by Kyros Kotzikas, who enjoyed a stellar 1997 New Zealand Cup day winning the big race with Iraklis.
Master Lavros has been well placed to win four from only six starts, and still remains on a 1-win assessment to try and take advantage of his placement off the front in the 1-2 wins $20,000 The Recruitment Network Handicap Trot on Cup day.
He starts from the inside of the four unruly horses in a capacity field. Everything will hinge on how he copes over the opening 200 metres.
Wednesday’s trial was pleasing and comes on the back of an equally easy Rangiora workout win on October 27.
However, Master Lavros mixed his gait for his first few strides on that occasion.
He was too slick at the business end though, coming clear by 4 1/4 lengths from Imelda, trotting the 2600m that day in 3:23.2.