Time is now for Lavra Joe

Now is the time for Lavra Joe (Roll With Joe) to stand up and become one of the leading Free-For-All players, according to his harness racing trainer Ray Jones.

The five-year-old makes his much-anticipated return to racing in tomorrow night’s Vale Tony Stampalia Pace (1730m) at Gloucester Park.

His return comes as most of the pacers engaged in last month’s WA Pacing Cup are in the spelling paddock.

Lavra Joe was a notable absentee from the Pacing Cup, due to multiple setbacks in the month leading up to it.

The son of Roll With Joe booked his return to Gloucester Park with a strong trial performance at Bunbury last Friday in 1:55.3.

Jones said now was the time for Lavra Joe to his presence felt on a consistent basis in top company and challenge horses like Pacing Cup winner Magnificent Storm.

“This is his year,” Jones told The Trots WA.

“He went to Free-For-All races earlier this year and handled it quite well.

“He was galloping times earlier this prep that suggested he had gone to another level, then he had those hiccups.

“I really don’t think there’s much between him and Magnificent Storm and I don’t think he could sit outside Lavra Joe and beat him.

“His demeanour has changed because he was a bit cranky for some reason, but now he’s a happy boy.”

Lavra Joe is set to get a good examination on how well he’s going on return in tomorrow night’s $30,000 event, where he’s drawn barrier seven of eight.

Consistent FFA performers Arma Einstein, Wildwest and Galactic Star are also set to line up in the event, as is Golden Nugget emergency Goodfellaz.

Jones said he expected Lavra Joe to be competitive on his return.

“Whether he’s good enough to win first-up, I’m not sure,” he said.

“We will find out tomorrow night if he’s better than these horses or if he will need the run.

“He’s had a lot of work in the lead up.

“He did the trial easily and he pulled up well from that.

“I thought about giving him another trial, but then decided to put him in tomorrow night.”

Lavra Joe will have a new driver for the first time in 54 starts tomorrow night, with Kyle Harper taking over the reins from Chris Lewis.

Jones said Lavra Joe would be aimed at April’s Nullarbor, where he hoped to represent the RAM Racing Syndicate again.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim Walker for RWWA