Leading up to the Dominion Handicap at Addington Raceway yesterday, most people thought Stent would continue his domination of the trotting scene in New Zealand.
Stent had been in great form leading up to the Dominion Handicap yesterday but the one thing that raised the odd doubt in people's minds was the distance of yesterdays race- 3200 metres.
If Stent looked to have one chink in his armour, it was his less than great record at the extreme distance.
Stent had won the Rowe Cup at the distance but only after sitting on Master Lavros's back the whole journey and even then he just beat him by a nose.
Master Lavros was an opponent again yesterday and while Stent isn't at his best at 3200 metres, Master Lavros has always excelled at the distance.
Master Lavros was away quickly for Mark Jones and grabbed the lead after 400 metres and kept up a steady tempo in the lead.
Stent and Colin De Filippi after an early bobble had settled three back in the running line before looping the field to land outside Master Lavros's wheel at the 800 metres.
Just when it looked like a match race between the two champions was on the cards, Master Lavros strode away for an emphatic victory with Mark Jones giving a great victory salute as he went over the finishing line.
Alley Way and Matthew Williamson got home well for second in front of Sheemon who trailed the whole way while Stent only battled into fifth.
Mark Jones was very animated on his return to the winners circle
"This is all down to Regan's hard work," Jones said of his Woodend Beach foreman Regan Todd.
"There's a lot of satisfaction winning today after what we have been through with horse there is nothing better than getting back to the top of the pile" Jones said.
"When you're in that position we were last season, you start to have doubts and you start to think you are lucky to have won what you have in the past."
"I was starting to get to the point myself that Master Lavros might not win the Dominion again if he didn't win it this year as there are so many good young trotters coming through," Mark said.
Jones was keen to get to the front early in the Dominion because he wanted to take bad luck out of play.
"I just wanted to give him every chance and not have any excuses."
"He goes good in front and we have come so far with this horse I wanted to give him every chance," Mark said.
Regan Todd was just pleased it was over.
"Its been a really long week leading up to today."
" A few people had doubts after Kaikoura but we always knew he needed that run," Todd said.
The Rowe Cup is the main aim for Master Lavros for the rest of the season although a trip to Australia beforehand is still on the cards.
Harnesslink Media