MASTER LAVROS MAKES JEWELS
Burnham trainer Mark Jones will drive Master Lavros, one of two NZ 2YO trot record holders he has qualified for for the Harness Jewels $100,000 Neumann’s Tyres and The Tyre General 2YO Ruby at Ashburton on June 4.
Master Lavros joined 2YO mobile male record holder Beau Brummell in the starting line-up after posting a NZ record for a 2YO trotter over the 2600m distance from a stand at Oamaru on Sunday, May 22.
A huge gelding by Sundon, Master Lavros trotted the distance in 3:31.5 on Sunday, shaving 1.1 seconds off the former long-time mark set by former top trotter Wedgewood in 1984.
Mark had Master Lavros quickly into his trotting gait off the unruly and they were left in front when early leader Another Love tangled with 1800m to run.
He had his rivals well covered in the run to the line with Mark not having to activate the removeable hood.
Master Lavros won as he liked by a length from Another Love, who rallied well again late, running his last 800m in 59.9s and final 400m in 28.4s.
“He’s come to it at the right time,” Mark said.
“I might give him a run on Saturday at the workouts just to give him a look at the mobile gate,” Mark said.
“He shouldn’t be there with his size but he on natural ability he’s pretty good.”
“He’s a big boy but he’s got a good attitude and manners.”
“We didn’t really have any intention of qualifying him but he went to the workouts and went good. He handled it better than I thought he would.”
Master Lavros was bred, and is raced by Lavros Lodge Ltd owners, Kypros and Mary Kotzikas, He is from the mported Sierra Kosmos mare Lavra Noblesse, who earlier left useful squaregaiter Kosmopolitan Lavra, who won four from only 15 starts.
Beau Brummell, who set the 2YO mobile 2000m record of 2:34.4 when successful at Timaru on May 1, was found to be off-colour after he raced at Addington on May 14.
“You’d love a mixture of both of them (Beau Brummell and Master Lavros),” Mark said,
“Beau Brummell’s got great manners but he was a bit crook when he raced last time. He’s had an easy time since and will trial on Saturday too. He’s had a pretty long season.”
By Jeff Scott