MASTER LAVROS UNLUCKY
Promising intermediate-grade squaregaiter Master Lavros was luckless in his first open class attempt in Stig’s Rowe Cup at Auckland on Friday, May 3.
Trainer Mark Jones stepped the big Sundon gelding brilliantly off the unruly to be in the first four rounding the first turn.
He crossed to the markers four back, then was shuffled five back after early breaker and eventual winner Stig strode to the top for David Butt with 1200m left.
Master Lavros was badly held up until the closing stages, running into fifth late behind Stig, fast late finisher Springbank Sam, Boizel, and early leader Cyclone U Bolt.
Stig capped a remarkable career by adding the Rowe to an earlier win in NZ’s other Group One 3200m trot, the 2006 Dominion Handicap at Addington.
After being sidelined from racing as a 6YO for three years before making a comeback last season as a 9YO, the Armbro Invasion gelding tipped his lifetime earnings past the $800,000 mark in the Rowe, taking his earnings to $801,766 from 21 wins in 51 starts.
He credited David Butt with a first Rowe Cup driving success, while trainer Paul Nairn tasted success in the 2006 Rowe as the trainer-driver of former top trot mare, Inspire.
The fast start by Master Lavros in the Rowe was encouraging after a bad start proved costly in his lead-up a week earlier in the 3-win and faster $20,000 Alex Bar And Eatery Open From 6.30am Handicap Trot on April 26.
He was caught on the wrong foot at the start off the 20m-line, adding considerably to his handicap and under the circumstances, did well for fifth as Irish Whisper went on to gain his first win since joining the Tony Herlihy barn.
Master Lavros had made a fast beginning first-up from a four month layoff a week previously on the first night of the Auckland carnival.
He led up and blew out in the run home with his resuming third behind Realmein and Cyclone U Bolt in the four-win and faster $25,000 Majestic Horse Floats Greenlane Cup.