EARLY GALLOP COSTLY
Mobile racing again proved a problem for talented squaregaiter Master Lavros in the $100,000 Methven & Mt Hutt Trotting Clubs 4YO Ruby Trot at Ashburton on June 1.
The big trotter bounded into a gallop after the opening 100m, losing any winning chance, but made a good recovery to finish fifth to winner Cyclone U Bolt (Blair Orange), who was recording back-to-back Jewels wins for Melbourne owners Meg and Merv Butterworth.
Cyclone U Bolt finished best from the trail to outfinish his Mark Purdon-trained stablemate Escapee, with Stent, third, in a NZ allcomers trot record of 1:54.5. Master Lavros was racetimed in 1:55.9.
Master Lavros has now broken early in his three mobile starts _ in his Jewels 2YO race and in a lead-up at Addington on May 17, where he was good enough to recover and finish second to Stig in a fast 1:59.6 rate for the 2600m.
The Jewels misdemeanor was frustrating for connections. He had trotted pleasingly from the mobile on the course the previous Saturday in a lead-up workout, and had another mobile trial against pacers at Rangiora on May 13.
“He’ll be alright from the gate in time,” said trainer Mark Jones.
“He’ll spell now and we’ll probably look at the Dominion with him (November),” he said.
Stablemate Juneamy Castleton also met trouble in the Yaldhurst Hotel 3YO Ruby, having a punctured tyre come off the rim after it was struck by an over-racing Wingsonhai with 700m to run.
Trainer-driver Mark Jones advised stewards the incident did not affect his chances.
While Juneamy Castleton’s owners Lex and Heather Williams were out of luck in the 3YO Ruby, they were winners on the day with One Over Da Moon, who turned some mixed lead-up form around to win the $100,000 Neumann’s Tyres & The Tyre General 2YO Ruby.
One Over Da Moon, a son of their big-winning mare One Over Kenny in the stable of Paul Nairn, overcame the unruly start position to score in 1:57.9 in the juvenile trot mile.
TAKEOFF SUCCESSFUL
Ready For Takeoff, a member of the big Butterworth Racing Syndicate operation, bounced back from a six-month layoff to notch his maiden victory for the Mark Jones stable at Forbury Park on Friday, May 24.
The 3YO Jereme’s Jet gelding was purchased after qualifying for Southland trainer Clark Barron last September and put aside after two unplaced starts in Canterbury in November.
Ready For Takeoff was given every chance by stable junior driver Scott Stewart in the Dunedin City Ford Mobile Pace, trailing hot favourite Smart Alex.
He was too good with a passing lane run in the straight, coming clear by 1 1/4 lengths to beat a former stablemate Last Man Out (Clark Barron) in a 2:02.1 rate for the mobile 2200m. The leaders ran their last 800m in 59.6s and final 400m in 29.9s.
Ready For Takeoff, from an unraced Christian Cullen mare in Ouch La Fe Fe, is a half-brother to former useful winner Major Ouch (four wins) and minor winner Secret Love.
His grand-dam, Mrs Simpson (Alba Byrd-Regal Play, by Card Shark-Lady Royal, by Lordship-Ceremonial) left former smart pacer Ouch (11 NZ wins for $173,994, 1:57.4s, Aust), while the family was a good source of winners for the Ben and Des Grice in previous years.