The gelding was sensationally withdrawn from the Group 1 event at Gloucester Park last Friday week after he had a pre-race colic attack.

Lavra Joe was considered the horse to beat in the $300,000 event, following his outstanding fourth in the Nullarbor and drawing barrier one.

Despite the frustration of not starting in the Fremantle Cup, trainer Ray Jones said he was relieved his stable star quickly recovered from the setback.

"It could've been really serious," Jones told The Trots WA.

"He was an angry horse and I didn't understand what was wrong with him.

"We took him to the vets on the way home and then he ate all his feed the next day."

Lavra Joe was a surprise acceptor in the $35,000 event, after he wasn't in the original nominations on Monday morning.

Jones said he was happy enough with Lavra Joe's progress over the past week and deserved a shot at the Narrogin Cup.

"He had a quiet week after the Fremantle Cup and then galloped on Saturday morning," he said.

"He galloped well yesterday and his heartrate was really good when he came back.

"I was planning to give him a hopple run, but given he he galloped well I thought we would race instead."

Lavra Joe will have a big task in front of him in the Narrogin Cup, after he drew barrier nine, with only Vultan Tin drawn outside him on the back line.

Key rival Pinny Tiger's hopes of winning the race improved significantly when he drew barrier one, following his third placing in the Fremantle Cup.

Jones said his charge would likely have to win the hard on way on Saturday.

"It's not too bad of a draw," he said.

"It'll be up to (Gary Hall) Junior to get him in the right spot and hopefully he won't be too far back early.

"He will duck to the breeze and then we will see him fight out the finish."

Jones indicated a Queensland campaign was still on the agenda for Lavra Joe, but a final decision would be made in the coming weeks.

Lavra Joe's other long-term targets will likely include November's WA Pacing Cup and next year's Nullarbor, where Jones is already in discussions with slot holder RAM Racing.