Mark Jones only had to look from left to right last night to see just how unforgiving the racing game can be at times.

On his right stood Eyre I Come, his latest Group One winner having just surprised more than a few when he unwound with some purpose to win the Fred Shaw Memorial New Zealand Trotting Championship at Addington.

Then, to his right, stood his champion trotter, Master Lavros.

With one hind leg slightly raised in the air and his balking frame being supported by his other three legs, the big gelding stood quietly while veterinarians fussed around him.

Jones stood quietly too. Watching intently, all while knowing full well what the verdict was going to be.

“I felt him break down the 600 metre mark,” he said.

A suspected suspensory injury was diagnosed although Jones still wasn’t ruling out more serious damage.

And just like that, the career of a grand trotter was over.

“Probably my biggest regret will be that he’s not going out sound,” Jones added.

Despite the injury, Master Lavros still showed all his incredible braveness to pick himself up off the canvas to run a gallant third beaten by narrow margins by Eyre I Come and Wilma’s Mate.

“But true credit to him, his leg went a long way from home, but his heart carried him all the way to the winning post and he fought so incredibly bravely.

“He was travelling so good at that point too, I really believed I was going to win it going down the back straight.”

While gutted by the prognosis of Master Lavros, Jones was trying to put on a brave face for everything else, including the win of Eyre I Come.

“It’s bloody hard. I want to be over the moon that this horse as won, because he’s been through so much as well and his owner has been so patient, but there’s a lot of mixed emotion.”

The result of Eyre I Come was a fitting result for part owner Grant Hatton who shares in the ownership of the horse with Merv and Meg Butterworth.

Hatton’s star pacer Saveapatrol, who has also had a lot of injury troubles, was set to make his resumption at the meeting but another setback has left his career in limbo too, extending the rough week for Jones.

“It’s been 48 hours from hell, but this is going to go a long way to fixing it,” and ecstatic Hatton said.

A day to day prospect, Eyre I Come looked set to be a major player in the open class ranks when he burst onto the seen. Many remember his win in the two mile trot on Cup Day fondly, but since then it’s been battle after battle.

Beautifully handled by Blair Orange last night, the gelding stalked the pace and unleashed through a gap at the top of the straight and wore down Wilma’s Mate and Master Lavros in the shadows of the post.

“It’s a shame he’s had such a bad run of injuries, because he’s such a good horse,” Orange said.

The win gave Orange his second Group One open class trot success after Superbowlcheerleader won the ANZAC Cup in 2014.

Both Jones and Orange paid huge credit to Woodend Beach stable foreman, Regan Todd who has done a huge amount of work with both trotters.

Eyre I Come will now head north for a further depleted Rowe Cup Carnival where, if the opportunity presents itself again, a further big race win isn’t out of the question.

Matt Markham