The Justice League made a big impression winning his only barrier trial before yesterday's debut and there was no juicy margin on the odds. The price rarely fluctuated from $1.90 and everyone saw why.
The Justice League raced on the outside of the speed and when Leith Innes asked him for some go-forward in the home straight, the acceleration was "wow".
"He's a bit of a character," said Nigel Tiley, "it took two of us to get him on to the track."
When they are that good they are forgiven an awful lot.
Tiley's high opinion of the colt is evidenced by his thoughts on whether yesterday's $5900 winning stake will be sufficient to get him into the Karaka Million in one month.
"I'm not going to panic - if he gets there he does and if he doesn't then there will be bigger fish to fry.
"He's a very special horse."
Tiley had hoped to start The Justice League in a richer race on Boxing Day - a win in which would have guaranteed a berth in the Karaka Million.
"He had a bit of an infection and we had to wait for this race."
Earlier on the card, Tony Cole reckons he trained The Menace to the absolute second to win the Viva.co.nz Mile.
You couldn't argue with that.
Cole tried The Menace unsuccessfully as a stayer over 2200m on December 6 and gave the horse time in the paddock to freshen from that experience.
"I only had time to give him two gallops leading into this race and I was worried he might be vulnerable in the final 100m."
Cole was almost right - The Menace had one length on the hot favourite Ultraviolet with 200m to run, but ran out of oxygen to the extent Ultraviolet, who had been making no impression, came back to be beaten only by a lip. "Phew, I'm glad that's over," said Cole.
Ultraviolet appeared to float when put under pressure early in the home straight and rider Sam Spratt recommended to co-trainer Peter Williams to try the mare in blinkers.
