By Larry Foley, Singapore Turf Club
It was already one of the best stories in racing in 2022 before Lord Justice added another chapter to the tale by winning the $70,000 Japan Racing Association Trophy, a Class 3 Division 1 race (1100m) on Saturday.
The David Kok-trained gelding had well-documented bleeding issues throughout a career that looked to be stalling at stages and if not for the patience of his connections – the Turf Bloodstock Sabah Stable – he may have retired long ago.
Stringing together multiple runs was often a problem, so having three wins this preparation from as many starts was beyond anyone’s wildest dreams, but would the pressure of stepping up to a strong Class 3 company see Lord Justice continue the winning streak? Punters were confident that he could and the Showcasing eight-year-old was sent out as the hot $10 favourite.
After a good jump from gate two, apprentice jockey Jerlyn Seow tried to dictate term up front. Though pressured by the highest-rated horse in the race – Darc Bounty (Fahmi Rosman) – early, Lord Justice looked to be the only horse cruising when he kicked clear upon turning for home.
The versatile Nowyousee (Marc Lerner) emerged from the pack as the only serious challenger but while Lord Justice made Seow earn her dollars late by drifting out under pressure, the race was never in doubt as he won by one-and-a-quarter lengths over Nowyousee, with Quarter Back (Ibrahim Mamat) finishing another two-and-three-quarters length back in third.
The winning time was 1 min 4.49 secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack and Lord Justice’s fifth career win took his prizemoney to over $148,000.
His Singaporean trainer – who snared a double on the day with Happy Moment ($21) winning the $50,000 Class 4 Division 2 race (1100m) under apprentice jockey Iskandar Rosman – was visibly relieved and thankful for the services of Seow and her three-kilos claim when interviewed by racing presenter Scott Bailey after the race.
“Claiming helps, you know,” said Kok.
“Being up in Class 3 for the first time, the lightweight (50.5kgs) is the advantage there.
“I’m always worried (about the bleeding issue). This horse always gives me the pressure.”
Pressure for Seow too, given the status of the race.
“It was only my second trophy race, so I was nervous,” said Seow, who now has 14 wins for the year.
“I tried to be calm and jump well and get him to lead, which he did.
“I started to worry late when he laid out but there was not much I could do and he was still travelling, so I just rode him out.
“He’s a nice horse.”
Luxury stamps his own Brand with second win
Trainer Donna Logan’s assistant-trainer Hamsha Aloysius not only had two horses to saddle in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1200m – but also a jockey to find for Luxury Brand after apprentice jockey Yusoff Fadzli fell from Pindus in the previous race.
He was declared unfit to ride after that so fellow apprentice jockey Iskandar Rosman answered the late call. With quick riding instructions ringing in his ear, he headed to the 1200m start on the $21 second-favourite.
After taking a sit behind the leaders and peeling off heels to sit on his stablemate Fadaboy’s (Jake Bayliss) flank on the bend, Luxury Brand made his challenge early in the straight before kicking away strongly at the 200m.
The race was over in a few strides. While Kick (Manoel Nunes) made up some ground late to finish runner-up by a length and Fadaboy stayed on well for third another head away, it was an impressive win for the three-year-old gelding in the winning time of 1 min 10.12 secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.
“There’s plenty of upsides to him,” said Hamsha in place of Logan who is in Sydney to attend the upcoming Inglis Ready2Race Sale on Tuesday.
“We still haven’t got to the bottom of him, so we will enjoy this for now and see how he pulls up.”
The winning hoop was also impressed with what he saw.
“You know this one is an amazing horse,” said Iskandar, who rode a double earlier courtesy of Happy Moment.
“I have never ridden this horse, so I just followed the instructions and parked him behind the leader.
“He was a little nervous behind the barrier but once he jumped and I got him to relax, he did the job.
“He’a a nice horse and very easy to ride.”
Owner Kylie Bax from the BAX Racing Stable was ecstatic after the race from her home in New Zealand.
“Huge credit to Donna and her team,” said Bax.
“The horse is certainly giving me heart flutters. Shook the windows again!
“We are ever so grateful for the ride by Iskandar and the whole Bax team wishes Yusoff a speedy recovery.”
It was reported that Yusoff felt “sore and sorry but was otherwise fine”. Luxury Brand’s second win from five starts took his prizemoney to just a tick under $100,000.
Other notables and ride of the day
Jockey Manoel Nunes got back to do what he does best with his first treble since returning from a serious neck injury.
The Brazilian ace started the day with Seson ($9) winning the $30,000 Class 5 race (1200m), before Dream Alliance ($15) bagged the $20,000 Open Maiden race (1400m) and Engine Start ($24) scored in the $30,000 Class 5 race (1600m) to complete his hat-trick of wins.
But according to Bailey, the ride of the day went to Iskandar for stepping up to the plate and delivering the goods on Luxury Brand.
“It’s tough getting the late call-up on a fancied horse you have never ridden before,” said Bailey.
“So to make a nice move early to sit on the leaders’ flank was a smart thing to do.
“It gave him every chance and given the expectations of the stable, it was a mature ride.”
