Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Champion reinsman Chris Lewis left Gloucester Park on Friday night in high spirits after having driven powerful five-year-old Lavra Joe to a superb all-the-way victory in the 2536m Garrard’s Your One Stop Shop Pace.
Greenbushes trainer Ray Jones also wore a confident smile after Lavra Joe had warmed up for next Friday night’s $1 million Nullarbor Slot race with his decisive win over Valentines Brook, rating 1.57 after dashing over the final 400m sections in 28.5sec. and 27.3sec. to leave other Nullarbor candidates Jumpingjackmac (third), Spirit Of St Louis (fifth) and Diego (seventh) in his wake.
“Lavra Joe should be right on target for the Nullarbor when we should see the best of him,” said Lewis. “He is looking really good, is in a good frame of mind and I expect a really good run from him.
“Tonight, he got out really well (from the No. 2 barrier), travelled good and pulled up good. He won comfortably and is moving towards the big race very nicely. The draw makes a big difference, so obviously we want a good draw, like everyone else does.
“The draw is a major factor at Gloucester Park, but even if Lavra Joe doesn’t get an ideal barrier, he will still be player. But you will need a bit more luck. Last week he came from behind (when second to Magnificent Storm), and it was an exceptional run.”
Lavra Joe was the $1.60 favourite on Friday night, with the star New Zealand-bred Sydney pacer Spirit Of St Louis the second fancy at $3.70.
Spirit Of St Louis began from barrier three and settled down in the one-out, one-back position before Jack Callaghan switched him three wide after 400m to move to the breeze. He then regained the one-out, one-back trail 100m later when the $11 third fancy Minstrel surged to the breeze.
Callaghan eased Spirit Of St Louis three wide 300m from home and the six-year-old battled on into fifth placing without threatening danger. Callaghan was quite satisfied with the gelding’s performance at his first run for a fortnight. “He handled the track well, and I’m looking forward to the big race next week.”
Gary Hall Jnr was delighted with Jumpingjackmac’s effort in running home powerfully from seventh at the bell in the field of eight to be third after starting out wide at barrier seven.
“He went super and hit the line pretty hard,” said Hall. Jumpingjackmac’s stablemate Diego, who started from the No. 6 barrier, raced in last position and finished seventh, with driver Maddison Brown saying that she was pleased with his effort.
Minstrel disappointed in fading to finish last, and leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond have chosen Steel The Show ahead of Minstrel as their runner in the Nullarbor. Steel The Show impressed with his fighting qualities when he had a tough run in the breeze and finished fourth behind Magnificent Storm, Lavra Joe and Whatabro over 2130m last Friday week.