MASTER LAVROS RUN DOWN BY FAVOURITE STENT
An enterprising drive from Overport Lodge trainer-driver Mark Jones nearly resulted in a minor upset in this year’s $80,000 Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championship at Addington on Friday, March 27.
Lack of race hardening on the part of Master Lavros told in the dying stages as hot favourite Stent rolled home to take out the Group One and top $1 million in earnings.
Stent, took his earnings past the $1 million mark when successful in this year’s $80,000 Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championship at Addington.
However Mark and Master Lavros made matters interesting.
Master Lavros, having only his second race back since last November’s Dominion Handicap, made a gallant attempt for back-to-back wins in the race.
He worked to the front after the opening 600m and kept the pace strong.
Mark and Master Lavros tried to put a winning break on Stent as the favourite was held up clearing the ruck at the 400m.
The plan worked until the final 100m when Master Lavros peaked on his run and Stent gathered in the tearway leader to win going away by a length.
Sheemon ran on solidly along the inner for third, ahead of King Denny, One Over Da Moon and Alley Way.
Stent, raced by Trevor Casey and trained by Colin and Julie De Filippi, won the Trotting Championship in a smart 3:15.3 (mobile 2600m), a mile rate of 2:00.8.
The 6YO Dream Vacation-Belle Galleon gelding, fresh from taking out the Great Southern Star in Victoria earlier this month, was recording his 27th win from 58 starts, taking his earnings to $1,010,053.
Twelve months ago Master Lavros won the race in a NZ record time of 3:13.1, but given he broke when fresh last week, this was really his first serious test this time in.
The result was pleasing with Master Lavros now back on track for races like the $80,000 Anzac Cup at Auckland on April 17, and to defend his $150,000 Canam Rowe Cup title, also at Auckland on April 24.