MASTER LAVROS BACK ON TOP IN SECOND DOMINION TRIUMPH
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones doesn’t show much emotion but winning a second Group 1 $255,000 Hellers Dominion with Master Lavros was special.
The culmination of all the hard work behind the scenes with the giant squregaiter had the juices flowing down the straight the final time.
Mark Jones salutes as he wins a second G1 Hellers Dominion with Master Lavros.
Master Lavros delivering again at Group 1 level had the World Champion driver saluting specifically to his Woodend Beach right-hand man Regan Todd.
“I’m a bit emotional so I’ll leave the shades on,” he said after 12 months of uncertainty.
“Regan does all the hard work with him and I get the easy job,” Mark said.
Regan was quick to qualify the Master Lavros success story as a team effort.
Moments earlier and Master Lavros (inner) has a commanding lead from Alley Way (wide) and Habibti (centre).
On the same day last year their were serious doubts whether Master Lavros would ever win again, let alone get back to Group One level.
The giant squaregaiter didn’t look good.
After galloping in last year’s Dominion, he sent Master Lavros north for a dye test to determine whether the horse’s troubles could be pin-pointed and whether he could get back to the top.
General wear and tear issues were diagnosed. The upside was he had time on his side being only six and still young for a top squaregaiter.
Owner Kypros Kotzikas is congratulated by NZ Metro’s Ged Mooar while partner Jane Campbell looks on.
The horse returned to Canterbury, was spelled, and the long road back began.
But this time his joint issues were treated and the next task was to get him fit enough to compete against Stent, who had disposed Master Lavros, as NZ’s No. 1 squaregaiter.
Master Lavros resumed racing in March and with three runs under his belt he pushed Stent to a head in the Group One Rowe Cup at Auckland on April 24 in a strength-sapping 4:03.6 (3200m).
Master Lavros had his revenge on Stent at Addington on May 9, then won again on May 15, before being spelled.
Turning seven and returning this spring, Master Lavros was comfortably beaten into second first-up by Stent at Addington on October 2, won in his absence a week later, then was swamped to run fourth as Stent scored easily in NZ record time at Kaikoura 11 days prior to the Dominion.
All good. Kypros dispays his appreciation to Mark Jones.
Regan knew what was required. In a virtual replay of what occurred two years ago when Master Lavros ran fourth at Kaikoura preceeding his first Dominion triumph as a five-year-old.
Master Lavros needed more work and be trimmed to his peak racing weight of 550kgs.
Mark says he doesn’t like racing him too much in that lean state but the results speak for themselves.
Master Lavros was in front with two laps to run (2400m left) of the 2015 Dominion, seizing an advantage over Stent, who bounded into an early break, settling ninth on the outer and working into a three back one-out trail.
Mark rated the big boy perfectly but nothing less was expected from a former World Champion reinsman.
Master Lavros had Stent (parked) for company beginning the final 800m but he was always in control.
Kypros Kotzikas hoists the magnficent Hellers Dominion trophy for on-lookers.
Mark lifted the tempo with the wind at their backs the final time feeling confident Master Lavros would see it out to the finish.
The burn in the second-to-last quarter had Stent battling turning for home and it was left to Stent’s stablemate Alley Way (from four back on the pegs) to get closest, unwinding wide for Matty Williamson, with Sheemon (trail) next ahead of Habibti and Stent.
Master Lavros had the race in safe keeping, winning by 1 1/4 lengths in 4:05.9 (2:03.6 mile rate), trotting his last 800m in 57.6s and final 400m in 29.3s into the cool easterly.
The beautiful comeback also proved emotional for owner Kypros Kotzikas on the victory dias.
The successful United Fisheries businessman and racehorse owner delivered a heart-felt speech which included thanking all the people with their work behind the scenes, Mark Jones, Regan Todd, the NZ Metro TC president and committee, sponsors Hellers, and a special mention of his late wife Mary, who died from cancer in March 2013.
Kypros Kotzikas and partner Jane Campbell show their delight for a swarm of photographers.
“I thank everybody and make mention of my wife Mary. I am very proud to be standing here today with the horse that we bred,” he said.
Kyros declared Master Lavros, a gelded son of 1990 Dominion winner Sundon and an imported Sierra Kosmos mare Lavra Noblesse, would be back next year.
The now dual Dominion champ will try and join other trotting greats in Lyell Creek and Take A Moment as three-time Dominion winners in 12 months time.
Master Lavros lifted his earnings to $582,102 with Friday’s win, his 19th from 46 starts.
By Jeff Scott