MASTER LAVROS READY FOR SUNDAY CHALLENGE
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones couldn’t be happier with giant-sized squaregaiter Master Lavros after his first bowl around Tabcorp Park, Menangle, on Tuesday, February 25.
Master Lavros went very close to the Australasian trot mile record of 1:54.3, set by Sundons Gift at Tabcorp Park, Menangle, of 1:54.3, in Tuesday’s trial.
Master Lavros leads Stent (trail) in November’s Dominion. The pair clash again in Sunday’s $A200,000 Glenferrie Farm Challenge, this time at Menangle, NSW.
He was race-timed in 1:54.4 when finishing just over two lengths behind pacer Eternal Glory, without being asked for a supreme effort.
Master Lavros mustered good speed from the ace barrier (same barrier for Sunday’s $A200,000 Glenferrie Farm Challenge), trailing Eternal Glory after the opening 200m.
Eternal Glory (David Morris) cut away slightly on the home turn but Master Lavros took a length off him in the run home over the leaders last 800m in 55.9s.
Keystone Del, last year’s Glenferrie Farm Challenge winner, trailed third and remained there in the run home, finishing around three lengths from the winner.
Mark confirmed Master Lavros had come through the trial in great order and is looking forward to driving him on Sunday.
Providing he leaves the gate as good on Sunday, the Dominion Handicap winner has a good shot at featuring with the aid of the inside running.
“I definitely think My High Expectations and Stent are going to very hard to beat,” Mark said.
“Stent will get a great run from his draw.”
The field is:
Race 9 (6.55pm NZ time).
1 189818 Master Lavros (1, Mark Jones)
2 22752 Elegant Image (2, Kate Gath)
3 20506 Vulcan (3, Anthony Butt)
4 41641 I See Icy Earl (4, Greg Sugars)
5 24121 Stent (5, Colin De Filippi)
6 11111 My High Expectations (6, David Aiken)
7 71812 Flying Isa (7, Luke McCarthy)
8 52333 Cold Sister (8, Nathan Jack)
9 56201 The Fiery Ginga (9)
10 07-21 Cyclone Jake (10, Lauren Penalla)
11 17148 Irish Whisper (11, Tony Herlihy)
12 18231 Keystone Del (12, Blake Fitzpatrick)