MASTER LAVROS GOING NORTH FOR EXPLORATORY TEST
Top squaregaiter Master Lavros will be sent to Matamata for further extensive tests after mixing his gait in the Dominion Handicap at Addington on Friday.
Master Lavros, Matamata-bound for a dye test.
Last year’s Dominion winner and the reigning Trotter of the Year hasn’t been 100 percent this spring.
Despite the efforts of trainer Mark Jones to turn him round for Show day, the huge Sundon gelding gave further evidence of a hidden issue troubling him.
“We’ll send him to Matamata and get them to run the dye through him,” Mark said.
“We’re getting nothing the way we’re going so we’ll find out exactly what it is and let mother nature take its course ,” he said.
The Overport trainer is prepared to give Master Lavros as much time as he needs to regain full health.
Master Lavros, only six and young for a trotter, is the veteran of only 36 starts for 15 wins and earnings of $358,646.
He stepped well from the inside of the back row on Friday, settling third, but broke when moving up in the open with 2450m left.
He was out of contention thereafter, finishing 11th to runaway winner Jaccka Justy, for Westwood Beach (south Dunedin) co-trainer and driver Jonny Cox.
The winner backed up was backing up from a fast late finish for fifth in Tuesday’s NZ Trotting Free-For-All.
Settling five back on the outer after beginning off the unruly, Jaccka Justy improved with three-wide cover behind Doctor Hook from the 700m to the turn and unleashed an undeniable run turning for home.
Westwood Beach-prepared squaregaiter Jaccka Justy dashes clear of Sheemon and Kincaslough (wide) in the 2014 Group One $255,000 Hellers Dominion Handicap.
Jonny Cox, who trains with partner Amber Hoffman, couldn’t hide his delight, saluting as he crossed the line, the winner clocking a strong 4:05.2 for the 3200m.
The successful strike-rate trainer emulated a great family tradition with squaregaiters.
Jonny was just nine when former family hero David Moss won the first of his two back-to-back Dominion Handicaps at Addington in 1993.
Jonny’s father John Cox prepared the giant-sized Gekoj gelding David Moss at Winton for the first 15 of 31 wins.
Jaccka Justy, dressed with the victory trimmings, after his Dominion triumph.
David Moss went on to win just over $490,000 in stakes.
Due to southern commitments, John Cox sent David Moss to Canterbury trainer Robert Cameron for both Dominion wins, and for feature north racing to former Papakura trainer Clive Herbert.
Jonny’s late grand-father, Harry Cox, a successful Winton trainer, prepared and drove Poupette for an upset win in the 1965 Interdominion Trotting Grand Final at Forbury Park.
This was Jonny and Amber’s first Group One training success in the $255,000 feature, securing the $137,500 winning bankroll for owner, Charlie and Ailsa Small.
Last season, they gained a Group Three win with the same horse in the Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup.
Jaccka Justy has now raced 49 times for 13 wins and five placings for $224,718 in stakes.
The Westwood Beach trainers and Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones have built up a good rapport during their training careers.
They have been able to utilise each others facilities when their respective horses travel around the South Island for racing opportunities.
EYRE I COME SOLID FOURTH
Impressive NZ Cup day winner Eyre I Come backed up with a close-up fourth for the Mark Jones stable in the C2+ $20,400 Peek Exhibition – Alf Hughes Memorial Handicap Trot on Show day.
After settling back off the 10m line, driver Blair Orange took an inside run round the home turn and he finished well, just half a length from winner Indiana Jones.
The Steve McRae-trained and Craig Thornley-driven Indiana Jones produced a good effort off the unruly off the 10m line, holding out Clover Mac, Jayceekay and Eyre I Come, in a smart 3:18.3 (2600m).
“Not making excuses, but the run the other day might have taken a wee edge off him,” Mark said of Eyre I Come.
“I thought he had his chance, but in 12 months time, he’ll be a lot better horse,” he said.