Top trotter returns

He’s chasing Group race success in Auckland but Mark Jones can be forgiven for all his attention being focussed on a five horse race at Addington tonight.

That five horse race, worth $13,000 compared to the $220,000 his four horses in Auckland are racing for, has the potential to be one of the most important of the Burnham trainer’s season.

His stable star, two-time Dominion Handicap winner, Master Lavros returns to the races from injury early on in the night at Addington and where he heads to next will very much depend on what the outstanding trotter shows both on the track and when he walks out of his box on Saturday morning.

Auckland for the National Trot on New Year’s Eve is still an option, but a trip to Central Otago is a possibility too.

“We will let him dictate what happens next,” Jones said.

“A lot of it is going to depend on how his leg is after the run. Both options are on the table.”

The return race has been marred by scratchings, leaving Master Lavros with just four opponents to face but Jones should get a good enough indication on where the gelding is at.

“It’s really another glorified trial for us, of course we are there to win but there is a bigger picture too.”

The stable will also be represented tonight at Addington by the ultra consistent Ruthless Success.

In Auckland, Rocker Band and Delightful Memphis will tackle Group racing while The Bus and Real Torque tackle other races on the programme.

Delightful Memphis has come up with barrier one in the Peter Breckon Memorial – a key result if she is to down the colours of Spanish Armada once again.

“I still don’t think there is anything between the two of them, but we’ve got the draw this week so we will have to look to make the most of it.”

Rocker Band, by her trainer’s admission, probably can’t beat Dream About Me. But she is a real hope of running second behind her.

“She’s going great guns at the moment and from that draw we should get our chance.”

The Bus was late scratched last week after jumping shadows during his warm up but a strong workout win on Saturday has Jones confident he’s got a horse who can be a player in the Young Guns series.

Super Selector Addington – By Matt Markham

Race 1: Ruakapuka Ruler, Myidealson, Augusta, Mighty American

Race 2: My Wee Man, Belmont Jet, Webby Vanderquack, Nicky Anew

Race 3: Ears Burning, Mossdale Conner, Alta Orlando, Maverick

Race 4: Letsgotothehop, Vinny Gambino, Loretta Franco, Hayden’s Meddle

Race 5: McLovin, Fireze, Jean Sebastien, Kingdom Come

Race 6: Master Lavros, Daryl Boko, Hey Yo, Waterloo Sunset

Race 7: American Tart, Crackabella, Emily Blunt, Runaway Star

Race 8: Torrid Bromac, Letspendanitetogetha, Franco Saxon, Eh Ef El

Race 9: Le Leivre’s Gift, Everybody Knows, Lothario, Donegal Bettorgretch

Race 10: Curlimore, Gunpowder, Wozniacki, Atchoo

Best Bet: Curlimore (Race 10)

Value: Le Leivre’s Gift (Race 9)