Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Powerful six-year-old Lavra Joe ended the longest losing sequence (eleven) of his illustrious career when he dashed to an early lead and went on to score an easy win in the $31,000 Yuletide Free-For-All over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Driven for the second time by Maddison Brown, Lavra Joe, the $2.10 favourite, was trapped three wide early before being restrained to the one-out, one-back position.
But then Brown, celebrating her 29TH birthday, made a snap decision to ease Lavra Joe out three wide 400m after the start, and the handsome gelding dashed past To Fast To Serious ($10) to take up the running 100m later.
The lead time was a fast 35.6sec. before Lavra Joe relaxed and coasted through the opening quarters in 30.1sec. and 29.2sec. He sprinted over the final 400m sections in 28.5sec. and 28.1sec. and won by a length from To Fast To Serious, with $41 outsider Alcopony running on from last in the field of eight at the bell to finish three lengths farther back in third place, a half-head in front of $2.20 second fancy Jumpingjackmac.
Jumpingjackmac began from the outside barrier and was not bustled early. He was fifth in the one-wide line at the bell and after being switched three wide with just over 400m to travel he was pushed four wide by Machnificent.
Lavra Joe rated 1.54.7 and took his record to 78 starts for 34 wins, 17 placings and $772,934 in stakes.
Owner-trainer Ray Jones was a relieved man after the race, admitting he was concerned at the gelding’s recent form. “He just got very fat when he had a break,” he said. “He is still very heavy, but it was nice to win tonight.
“We decided not to push him at the start, and then Maddy made a decision to get to the front.”
Jones said that Lavra Joe would keep racing and hopefully would be able to contest the $1.25 million Nullarbor slot race on April 25.
Lavra Joe finished fourth behind Catch A Wave, Minstrel and Swingband in the Nullarbor last April. “He’s not guaranteed of a spot in the upcoming Nullarbor,” said Jones. “He will also be heading for the $300,000 Fremantle Cup (May 2) and the Bunbury and Pinjarra Cups.”