“He’s done that on his ear,” beamed proud owner-trainer Ray Jones after his powerful colt Lavra Joe had crushed his rivals in the 7News Perth Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
And champion reinsman Chris was just as enthusiastic, saying: “He’s becoming a real professional. He came off the gate beautifully and he wasn’t flat out, even when I let him move along in the final half in 54.8sec. He has done that within himself.”
Lavra Joe is in all-conquering form and is sure to prove extremely hard to beat in the $200,000 Sky Channel WA Derby on April 30. His win on Friday night by almost five metres over the talented but inexperienced Jumpingjackmac boosted his record to 28 starts for 16 wins, seven placings and $213,727 in prizemoney.
“It was just what he needed,” said Jones. “He needed one more run here because the Battle of Bunbury is on April 9, and if he didn’t race here tonight there would have been too big a gap between runs.
“After the Battle of Bunbury Lavra Joe will run in the Country Derby two weeks after that race. And a week after the Country Derby he will run in the WA Derby. So, all that means is that he will have two hoppled runs before the Derby.”
Lavra Joe, the $1.04 favourite, began speedily from the No. 5 barrier and sped past Aussie Scooter and into the lead after 75m. The race then developed into an Indian file affair for the six runners, with Jumpingjackmac, the second fancy at $7.50, in fourth spot.
Give Us A Wave ($23) was eased off the pegs 300m from home and Gary Hall jnr then followed that colt. Jumpingjackmac, having his second start after an absence of 17 weeks, was fourth 50m from the post and finished strongly to be second.
By Ken Casellas