Westbred Not The Sunset On Lavra Joe’s Campaign
Star three-year-old Lavra Joe’s campaign could extend beyond this week’s Group 1 Westbred Classic (2130m) and it could involve a trip to Queensland.
The colt had already been earmarked for a trip to Melbourne for the Victoria Derby later this year, but could make his way to the sunshine state to tackle the inaugural Rising Sun.
Trainer Ray Jones said there was a chance he would look to take his talented colt north.
“I’m talking to Queensland about starting in the Rising Sun,” he told The Trots WA.
“There’s no set number of three-year-old’s that can be in the race but they are inviting two horses up for it.
“They have told me that if I wanted to take him up he would probably get a start.
“There’s also the Queensland Derby up there for him as well.”
The $250,000 Rising Sun takes place at Albion Park on July 10, before the Queensland Derby takes place on Blacks A Fake Championship night on July 24.
Jones said a trip to Queensland would depend on being able to get a flight from Perth to Melbourne and a second flight from Melbourne to Brisbane.
Prior to that, Lavra Joe has the $100,000 three-year-old Westbred feature to win at Gloucester Park on Friday.
Lavra Joe rounded out his campaign for the Westbred with a sound second to To Fast To Serious.
Chris Lewis forced his way to the top on Lavra Joe but was outsprinted by the Ray Williams-trained five-year-old, who reeled off a quarter of 26.6.
While Jones was disappointed not to win the race, he said he was confident he had Lavra Joe in better physical condition than he did in the lead up to the WA Derby in April.
“It’s always a test against a Free-For-All horse like To Fast To Serious when he’s on his game,” he said.
“My horse came home to his paddock and he was jumping around like a pork chop.
“I think that run was a good lead in for Friday and he should be at his peak.
“Hopefully he draws the front line and he won’t have To Fast To Serious or Mighty Ronaldo that have one sharp sprint to deal with.
“I couldn’t be happier with him and I think he’s had the right preparation for Friday.”
Friday night is also set to see the return of Fremantle Cup placegetter Shockwave.
The Ryan Bell-trained pacer is among 14 nominations for the Winter Cup (2536m) and could line up against fierce rival Chicago Bull.
Tim Walker
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