Trainer Lindsey Smith admits he got a bit emotional watching his stable star Scales Of Justice return to racing in emphatic fashion in the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield.
Having his first start since November, the 2016 Group One Railway Stakes winner Scales Of Justice strode clear over the final 200m in Saturday’s weight-for-age sprint on a soft track to register his first win in just over two years.
Smith, who has set up a Warrnambool stable in Victoria in recent months along with keeping his West Australian base, said Scales Of Justice has had a number of issues in the past couple of years, including back and feet problems.
“It’s been a long way back and it is a bit emotional because he’s such a stable favourite,” Smith said.
“A lot of people have done a lot of work.
“I’ve nursed him because I didn’t want to break him. And I’ve spoiled him.
“And he repaid us all today.
“He’s a wonderful horse.
“He’s got the best character of any horse I’ve ever seen or dealt with. And it was good to see him win today.”
With Dean Yendall aboard, Scales Of Justice ($10) settled fourth in the nine-horse field before looming up strongly early in the straight to claim leader Jungle Edge.
He hit the front at the 200m and drew clear to beat Jungle Edge by 3-1/4-lengths with Cliff’s Edge 2-1/2-lengths away third.
The $2.15 favourite Sesar failed to fire and finished sixth.
“The plan was to get through today,” Smith said.
“I didn’t expect that. But when he was in the mounting yard I was quite happy when I saw him, visually. I saw him against the favourite and I would have thought my horse was a better type than the favourite.
“But because so many things have gone pear-shaped in two years, sometimes you just cross your fingers.
“If he’s back to his best, which it looks like he’s not far off, then he’s a Toorak Handicap horse.
“Or he’ll go home for the Railway. It’s a $1 million race.”
The Bletchingly was the feature race at the final city meeting of the 2018-19 season in Melbourne.
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au