Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Rising superstar Lavra Joe enjoyed a virtual track workout when he barely raised a sweat in strolling to an effortless victory in the $50,000 group 2 HTA Reaching For The Top August Cup at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He works harder than that when he gallops on the sand at home,” said Greenbushes owner-trainer Ray Jones. “He thrives on racing, and he probably will race again here next Friday night after this easy run.”
Lavra Joe, the $1.20 favourite, was untroubled to lead from barrier one and he simply ambled through the first quarters of the final mile in 31.3sec. and 30.2sec. before increasing the tempo with final 400m sections of 28.1sec. and 27.2sec. He rated a modest 1.59.1 over the 2536m journey and beat $21 chance Gambit by two lengths.
Gambit, driven by Stuart McDonald, raced four back on the pegs in sixth position and impressed in flashing home, out four wide. His stablemate Diego, a $31 chance trained by Gary Hall Snr and driven by Maddison Brown, also caught the eye, finishing fast, out five wide, from eighth at the bell to be third, just ahead of another stablemate Jumpingjackmac ($9.50).
“It was a cushy lead, and he came home nicely,” said a contented reinsman Chris Lewis after guiding Lavra Joe to his 24TH win from 40 starts which boosted his earnings to $375,769. The win gave Lewis his second success in the August Cup, following his success with Dasher VC in 2012.