The Justice League
Race Images Palmerston North
The Justice League may have tried Nigel Tiley's patience this season, but the Pukekohe trainer never lost faith in the three-year-old's ability to foot it with the best of his age group.
That point was finally proven, much to the satisfaction of the former top jockey, on Saturday at Trentham where the powerfully-built son of I Am Invincible triumphed in the Gr.2 Go Racing Syndications Wellington Guineas.
"We put the blinkers back on him today and I think they have made all the difference," Tiley said. "Since he had that fall he's been a bit field shy. It's the first time today that he's had a trouble-free run for quite a while and showed what he can do."
The Justice League's season started ideally with a Listed success in the Northland Breeders' Stakes, but little has gone to plan since.
He missed a lead-up run before the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton where he was caught three wide from an outside gate and, when freshened, he clipped heels and fell at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
On his return to the Auckland course he copped a check when fourth and then rounded off strongly for second at Matamata when giving weight to all his rivals.
"He's really looking for a mile now so we kept him fresh for this – he's got some gears," Tiley said.
The Justice League was ridden by his wife Lee, who had the gelding on the outside of the leader and once he got to the front in the run home he wasn't to be denied and held a strong gallop to the post.
"Things went well and he raced like a true professional," she said. "He got into a beautiful rhythm and I had a lot of horse underneath me."
Outsider Glorious Beijing enjoyed a good trail and kicked on well to take second off the frontrunner He's An Ace while the favourite Marky Mark was never in contention and only beat five runners home. – NZ Racing Desk.
That point was finally proven, much to the satisfaction of the former top jockey, on Saturday at Trentham where the powerfully-built son of I Am Invincible triumphed in the Gr.2 Go Racing Syndications Wellington Guineas.
"We put the blinkers back on him today and I think they have made all the difference," Tiley said. "Since he had that fall he's been a bit field shy. It's the first time today that he's had a trouble-free run for quite a while and showed what he can do."
The Justice League's season started ideally with a Listed success in the Northland Breeders' Stakes, but little has gone to plan since.
He missed a lead-up run before the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton where he was caught three wide from an outside gate and, when freshened, he clipped heels and fell at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
On his return to the Auckland course he copped a check when fourth and then rounded off strongly for second at Matamata when giving weight to all his rivals.
"He's really looking for a mile now so we kept him fresh for this – he's got some gears," Tiley said.
The Justice League was ridden by his wife Lee, who had the gelding on the outside of the leader and once he got to the front in the run home he wasn't to be denied and held a strong gallop to the post.
"Things went well and he raced like a true professional," she said. "He got into a beautiful rhythm and I had a lot of horse underneath me."
Outsider Glorious Beijing enjoyed a good trail and kicked on well to take second off the frontrunner He's An Ace while the favourite Marky Mark was never in contention and only beat five runners home. – NZ Racing Desk.