3 minute read
Ross Lavis sticks to a simple training formula with Knights Armour – the only horse he has racing from his cattle property just outside of Braidwood.
Knights Armour is the $2.40 fav on the NSW TAB for the Junee Prime Lamb Riverina Cup (2500m) at Wagga on Sunday.
"I just keep him happy on the farm working him around the hills. I take him into the track every now and again and it works what I have been doing," he said.
The gelding clicked over $100,000 in earnings with his last start second at Wagga behind Semper Fortis ($2.70) NSW TAB) whom he opposes again in the feature race.
Knights Armour also lines up against Dubai Showgirl whom he beat at Goulburn before she won over 2400 metres at Kembla Grange.
Ross Lavis races Knights Armour with his wife Lynette and sister-in-law Sharon Brodrick and they have enjoyed six wins with half of those occurring at Goulburn.
The Knights Armour story is an interesting one.
His dam Cakewalkin was given to Lavis to breed from by well-known racing figure Gray Cocking.
Knights Armour was the last foal she had with the son of Casino Prince proving there is no substitute for time and patience.
He didn't start racing until just over two years ago and has never performed better producing some of the best of his career including a six lengths victory on a heavy track two starts ago.
Lavis believes the wet track was a benefit to Knights Armour and maybe not Dubai Showgirl as they square off for another bout over the longer journey.
"The distance races can be hard to find so we just keep him going until there is a suitable race. I think the track will suit Dubai Showgirl a bit better this time," he suggested.
"Semper Fortis got up on the inside last time and we were held up a bit so I was very happy with his last run as well.
"He is the first horse to win over $100,000 for me so that was something last start.
"He has just been given time to mature and he just wasn't ready to go early on."
Knights Armour is thriving now and for his most of his starts this campaign has been ridden by two kilogram claiming apprentice Rebecca Bronett Prag for a win and two seconds.
Her claim will reduce Knights Armour's weight to 59 kilograms and under that of Semper Fortis.
Jockey Matthew Cahill will take over on Semper Fortis after Jason Lyon was aboard last start over 2000 metres.
Lyon is shortly to undergo surgery to have a rod removed from his leg and will be out of action for several weeks.
It's Knights Armour's first try at 2500 metres which is always a query until they have proven themselves, according to Lavis.
"I think he is 100 per cent and whoever gets the breaks will win. Dubai Showgirl probably leads and she is proven over a bit more distance," he said.
"Rebecca gets on well with him and hopefully they can get the win again."
The other feature race is the Commins Hendriks Wagga Solicitors Wagga Whiz (1000m).
Mojo Music is a seven times winner with four of those at 1000 metres and is the $4.60 second favourite on the NSW TAB behind Lang Park ($4).
Former SDRA premiership winning jockey Blaike McDougall, who is now based in Melbourne, will ride Lang Park and other fancied runners Mitchellstown, Daze Off and Newyork Missile.
He will also partner recent winner Slipstreaming in the Riverina Cup.
A highlight of the day will be a celebration of the riding career of Wagga jockey now trainer Danny Beasley.
He recently retired from riding after landing 1877 winners including many at Group 1 level.
There will be a visual display of his career highlights as part of the day's event between races four and five.
