MASTER LAVROS GALLANT IN RACETRACK FINALE
It was the finale no one wanted for champion squaregaiter and two-time Dominion Handicap winner Master Lavros.
But an inflamed suspensory in his “good leg” afer trying to hold Eyre I Come in the NZ Trotting Championship at Addington on Friday night (April 7, 2017) ended the race career of the trotting giant.
Master Lavros, in his greatest moment, comng back from a serious setback to win a second Group One Dominion Handicap for trainer Mark Jones in 2015.
“He’s an amazing horse. He tried right to the end and showed what a champion is is,” said trainer Mark Jones.
Master Lavros, given time to settle in midfield early in the Trotting Championship, was on the move to take up his favoured front-running role with 1700m left.
However Mark felt him falter at the 600m but once Wilma’s Mate rushed by the big boy knuckled down again without flinching to try and chase down Wilma’s Mate.
However, it was Overport Lodge stablemate Eyre I Come who had the last say, grabbing the Group One with an inch perfect drive by Blair Orange.
“There is no coming back,” Mark confirmed.
“He deserves a good life and will not put him though any more.”
“We’re undecided where he will go but he will probably rotate between my place, Kypros (Kotzikas, owner) and Regan Todd’s place.”
“He will not be worked again.”
Master Lavros, in action for Mark during his last trial win on a slushy track at Addington on March 28.
“He will be extremely well cared for. He looked after us so good on the track he deserves to be looked after off the track.” he said.
Master Lavros, an 8YO Sundon gelding from a Sierra Kosmos mare in Lavra Noblesse, raced only 53 times for 20 wins, 10 seconds and five thirds, amassing $608,007 in stakes.
Despite on-going soundness issues created by his enormous size, he won races in every season from two through to eight years of age.
He was a former NZ record holder for the mobile 2600m at 3:13.1 set when taking out the 2014 Group One Fred Shaw Memorial NZ Trotting Championship at Addington.
Besides his two Group One Dominion triumphs, he also won NZ’s other Group One 3200m trot, the 2014 Rowe Cup at Auckland, and was NZ Trotter Of The Year in 2014.
His other notable wins came in two Group Three Canterbury Park Trotting Cups (2013 & 2015), and in the 2014 Group Three Summer Trotting Free-For-All at Addington.
By Jeff Scott