MASTER LAVROS WAITS FOR NEXT TERM
Fans of promising 3YO Master Lavros won’t see the giant-sized squaregaiter racing again until the new season.
Burnham trainer Mark Jones made the most of a penalty-free age group concession win with the Sundon gelding on the first day of the Marlborough winter meeting, Friday, June 15, 2012, before wrapping up his short winter campaign.
“If I won another with him, it would mean I would keep going to try and win another after that,” he said.
“I just want to look after him. I want him to come back in the low grades at four and hopefully have him racing at the New Zealand Cup meeting.”
“He’s still a bit weak and is still 18 months away at least from being mature.”
Mark rates Master Lavros, who will return next season on a 1-win assessment, despite three wins from five career starts, as the most promising horse in his barn.
He was a bonus qualifier and winner at two, before losing his chance with a gallop in the 2YO Harness Jewels at Ashburton in June, 2011, then spelled for four months.
The young trotter resumed as a minor star of the Top of the South winter circuit, winning untested by four lengths in a maiden trot on the first day at Nelson, without having his hood removed.
He stepped up against the 1 win and faster trotters at Blenheim on Friday, June 15, again took control mid-race, leading over the last 1600m to win as he liked by 2 1/4 lengths from early leader Glendaloch (trail) and Mo Hahn (handy outer).
Master Lavros rated 2:07.4 for the stand start 2300m at Waterlea, quickening over his last 800m in 59.5s.
Bred by Kypros Kotzikas and his late wife Mary, Master Lavros is from the imported Sierra Kosmos mare Lavra Noblesse, whose first foal Kosmopolitan Lavra was smart, winning four wins from only 15 starts, before heading to the breeding barn.
FIFTY WINS FOR SEASON
Mark Jones brought up his 50th training win for third consecutive season when Jellignite delivered in the Marlborough Express Winter Cup Prelude at Blenheim on Friday, June 15.
Jellignite (20m), three back on the outer until the straight, stormed home with a well-timed finish for regular driver Regan Todd to wear down front-running Samuel James in the shadows of the post, to win by half a head.
The 4YO Courage Under Fire gelding rated 2:03 for the stand start 2300m, the leaders having the speed on over their last 800m in 56s and final 400m in 27.4s.
Mark is only two wins off equalling his seasonal best of 52 wins as a trainer, set two seasons ago. The team has also recorded 34 seconds, and 24 thirds, for $370,915.