HALF-SISTER TO MASTER LAVROS DEAD-HEATS
Asteria Lavra, a juvenile half-sister by Angus Hall to stand-out stable squaregaiter Master Lavros, had an educational run at the Rangiora trials on Wednesday January 30.
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones led up with the Lavros Lodge-bred and owned filly, who was joined late by the Jimmy Curtin-trained and driven Zigzagzoo (Majestic Son-Letz Hope gelding).
Asteria Lavra (inner) is joined by Zigzagzoo near the finish of the Two-Year-Old Trot heat at the Rangiora trials.
The pair finished on terms at the end of the mobile 2000m in 2:44.3, 2.3 seconds outside the required qualifying time.
However, both two-year-old trotters hit out well to the line over their last 800m in 62.1s and final 400m in 30.5s.
Majestic Rollon (2f Majestic Son-Samara), another Overport Lodge to make her first trials appearance on Tuesday,
galloped early for Sheree Tomlinson, tailing the four-horse field.
Two-year-old pacing colt Willison (Bettor’s Delight-Classical Art), who qualified at Rangiora last month in 2:34
(mobile 2000m), returned with another solid showing on Wednesday.
Willison, a great grandson of the top International winning filly/mare Under Cover Lover (1:51.8, US, 21 wins &
$864,923), led up the two-year-old colts and geldings pace, being collared late by the Robert Dunn-trained Above N
Beyond (Art Major-Kabet colt).
Only a head separated the pair at the line, with Above N Beyond winning in 2:35 (mobile 2000m), the leaders last 800m in 58.6s and 400m in 27.6s.
Australian-bred juvenile pacer Finnigan (Art Major-Virginia Khan colt) settled back and finished fifth of five in the
second 2YO colts and gelding trial, but gained his qualifying ticket by pacing 2:34.2.
The Robert Dunn stable prepared the first three, Tyron Terranova (Sweet Lou-Tyron’s Falcon Ella colt) who shaded
leader Power And Grace (Somebeachsomewhere-Pure Magic colt) late in 2:33.3, the leaders last 800m in 57.6s and 400m in 28.2s.
Lulu Le Mans, the first foal from 2013 Harness Jewels 4YO Diamond winner Elusive Chick (1:53.1).
Finnigan is a half-brother to three Australian winners, including Koora Khan (1:54.9, five wins & $23,498) and Modern Maestro (1:55, 16 wins & $99,075).
Mark also qualified Lulu Le Mans, a two-year-old filly by champion sire Bettor’s Delight, and the first foal from big-winning McArdle mare Elusive Chick (1:53.1, 13 wins & $418,586).
Lulu Le Mans settled back and was sound finishing fourth of five, clocking 2:33.6 for the mobile 2000m in the 2YO fillies pace, won by the previously qualified Allstars filly, Amazing Dream, in 2:32.7.
The leaders kept the pace strong over the last 800m in 57.9s and final 400m in 27.6s.