BEATEN BUT NOT DISGRACED
A rise in the handicaps finally caught up with Master Lavros on New Year’s Eve, but the big Sundon gelding went down fighting to arch rival Stent.
Rival co-trainer and driver Colin De Filippi made the most of his 10m start with Stent over Master Lavros in the 3-wins and faster IRT 40 Years Flying Horses Handicap Trot.
He sent Stent to the front mid-race, with Master Lavros improving with cover in the running line over the last lap.
In the run home Stent always held the advantage and inside running, but Master Lavros rallied strongly for trainer-driver Mark Jones, running the winner to three-quarters of a length.
Stent ran the 2700m in a strong 3:29.3, with Master Lavros (20m) being race-timed in 3:28.6.
This ended a seven-race winning sequence for Master Lavros, since delivering in a maiden at Nelson in June.
He now returns from a fruitful three-race Auckland campaign, which netted two wins and a game second, with the career record of 11 starts for eight wins and a second, for $64,366 in stakes.
SMASTER LAVROS ON ROLL
Master Lavros showed he has few flaws to his game as he held Stent for the second time in a week at premier level at Auckland on Friday, December 14.
The Sundon gelding took the step up in grade in his stride, stepping well off the 10m line to lead early in the 4-wins or faster $18,950 Direct Security Services Trot, then taking a trail behind free-going The Fiery Ginga (30m) with 1700m to run.
Trainer-driver Mark Jones couldn’t wait for the sprint lane as Stent was improving wide at the 400m and The Fiery Ginga looked to have run his race.
Mark pushed out in the open and worked to the front underneath Stent turning for home.
From there, he always held the advantage, holding by three-quarters of a length in a strong run over the 2600m (stand), going 3:26.2 (2:02.8) mile rate, the leaders running their last 800m in 57.7s and closing 400m in 28.4s.
Master Lavros was only 2.6s outside I Can Doosit’s NZ record for the distance of 3:23.6.
The lightly-raced Master Lavros was racking up his eighth win from 10 starts, with yet another premier stake lifting his career earnings to $60,606 for owner Kypros Kotzikas.
‘LAVROS’ SHOWS RESOLVE
Exciting squaregaiter Master Lavros racked up his sixth consecutive win and his third premier stakes win on end at the Auckland meeting on Friday, December 7.
The 4YO Sundon gelding handled his first race the right-handed way at Auckland like a seasoned professional.
Caught wide into the first bend, trainer-driver Mark Jones let the hot favourite roll to the front with just over 2000m to run in the 2700m $19,700 3-wins or more Amediate Engineering Handicap Trot.
The free-going Master Lavros was joined by second favourite Stent (handy outer) as the favourites went to war over the final 600m.
Stent headed Master Lavros at the 300m but when called on with 150m to run, Master Lavros showed his steely resolve, kicking back strongly to come clear by a length.
Master Lavros rated 2:05.9 for the journey, quickening over his last 800m in 57.6s and his closing 400m in 29s.
Trainer Mark Jones said Master Lavros will be better for the run _ a scary thought for rival trainers in his remaining races at Auckland.
Master Lavros has been perfectly placed, taking advantage of 3YO handicap concessions and a penalty-free junior win, before stepping up to premier company.