Racing: Top 2-Y-Os clash in feature

NZ Herald

30 Apr, 2015 09:25 PM3 mins to read

The Justice League faces a strong field in the Hamilton Vets Equine 2YO Stakes at Te Rapa tomorrow. Photo / Trish Dunell

We are still learning about classy juvenile The Justice League and trainer Nigel Tiley says that he is as well.

So much so that Tiley will decide where the youngster has his second campaign start after his resuming run in tomorrow's $50,000 Hamilton Vets Equine 2YO Stakes at Te Rapa.

The Justice League has extreme speed, but Tiley believes he may break the mould of most of those by his sire, I Am Invincible, and prove his worth beyond absolute sprint distances.

"I know most of the I Am Invincible horses are out-and-out sprinters, but I think this bloke will run at least 1600m, particularly against his own age group."

It was obvious when The Justice League made his stunning winning debut at Ellerslie on December 28. When Leith Innes asked him for more in the home straight, he hit a flat spot for close to 50m before his sprint kicked in and he dashed past the leader to win by 4 lengths.

"That's what worries me a little about the 1100m this time. I've left him a bit fresh to counteract that."

The Justice League had one further start after his debut, but his effort in the Karaka Million can be forgotten. He was caught wide in mid-field and his race was as good as over when he came around the home bend seven or eight wide. He was gelded after that run.

"He's grown since then. He was always on the tall side and he's a real big boy now, he's at least 16.1 hands."

The Justice League has drawn awkwardly at No 10, but has the speed to offset most of that disadvantage.

"We are going to learn a lot more about him with this race," predicts Tiley. "It's going to tell us whether he is going to be better suited by the 1200m of the Castletown Stakes [May 30] at Wanganui or the 1400m of the Foal Stakes [May 23] at Ellerslie."

Stradivarious and Miss Wilson made a huge impression when clashing on debut at Rotorua two weeks ago. Stradivarious, a magnificent type by Stravinsky, got the deciding last two strides in, but Miss Wilson still impressed.

The pair have drawn nice barriers here and promise to be tough opponents.

Thwaya has won two from three and has ability, but the race looks among the first three favourites.

Jumping in the north opens its season at Te Rapa tomorrow, with two hurdle races and a steeplechase pushing the programme out to a marathon 12 races, the first at an early 10.45am.

Marton visitor Carinya has a marvellous record of four career steeplechases for three wins and a placing. As a winner on the course and from a nice place in the weights she will take beating in the Ken and Roger Browne Memorial Steeples.

Troy Harris' 2.5kg allowance in jumping races makes him extremely valuable and he rates highly on Verdasco (R1) and aboard Zenocoin (R2).