MASTER LAVROS TAKES IN MOBILE WORKOUT
Top squaregaiter Master Lavros resumed with a win against the maiden pacers at the Rangiora workouts on Saturday, January 19, in preparation for the $25,000 Seelite Windows & Doors Summer Trotting Free-For-All (1950m) at Addington on January 31.
“He still needs a bit of practise behind the mobile gate so thats why he’s here,” said trainer Mark Jones.
Master Lavros travels strongly with a lap to run at the Rangiora workouts for trainer Mark Jones.
Mark didn’t hurry the Dominion Handicap winner off the gate at the workouts, settling third, then moving up in the open at the 600m.
He was too good in the run home, striding clear by three-quarters of a length over A Boy Named Rosie in 2:35.2 for the mobile 2000m.
Mark timed him over his last 800m in around 56s and his final 400m in 26.9s.
“He went pretty good. He’s still a year away but you’ve got keep lining up and get better trotting from the gate.”
“I’d be keen to take him over for the Glenferrie Challenge ($A200,000, Menangle, NSW on March 2) but he hasn’t been invited yet.”
“If we get invited there, then we’ll think about Melbourne,” he said.
Mark also reined the Andrew Stuart-trained Stagger Lee to a front-running win in the 2YO colts and geldings pace over 2000m in 2:36.3.
The Major In Art-Lets Go Cullen colt was untroubled to quicken over his last 800m in 57.9s and final 400m in 28.1s, holding trailer Tenacious Bromac by half a neck.
SAVEAPATROL TAKING ON “TERROR”
Meanwhile Mark’s top 4YO Saveapatrol is confirmed to take on triple NZ Cup winner Terror To Love in next Saturday’s $40,000 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup.
“He’ll definitely go south. You can’t be scared of them and you’ve got to race,” Mark said.
“There’s still pay for running in the first four. He’s going to have to step up but you can’t hide them all the time. Its good money and if you run second or third or to him (Terror To Love) you’re going to be happy.”
“I’d rather race for the good money and I’ve tried to run him in the right races so far.”
Mark was again pleased with the way Saveapatrol found the line when taking out the Marlborough Cup.
“He was probably a run short the first day but you can’t have them right all the time,” he said.
By Jeff Scott