A relatively lacklustre raceday last Saturday was turned on its head by the fortune of the two Justins in the closing races.

In the feature race of the day, the 1,820m United Racehorse Trainers’ Association Trophy, There Goes Justin, with apprentice Shamaree Muir, sped out of the number one draw into the lead and was never caught winning by a neck over Argument Done with Sir Mandi two lengths behind in third position.

It was a stirring stretch duel involving There Goes Justin and Argument Done, the latter with the accomplished Shane Ellis on board. The younger, less experienced Muir used his hands to great effect before reverting to the whip with a half a furlong left to come out the winner. A good ride, a good win for There Goes Justin and trainer Fitzgerald Richards at odds of 11/1.

Then came the ninth and last race and as fate would have it, Justin On Fire, yes another ‘Justin’, won easily from Saga Boy and Surreal. The win was particularly welcomed for trainer Charles Morrissey, one of the true gentlemen in the sport who has been in racing for many, many years.

Players of the ‘rake’ would certainly have noticed that a Justin had won the eighth race and that there was another Justin racing in the ninth. Really and truly, any punter noticing this unique combination of Justins would have been rewarded handsomely as the Justin double paid $4,448. Little wonder the popular Pick-9 exotic wager was not caught, now standing with a carryover of $ 1 million.

Of note on the race card was the first apprentice win by Ryan Nelson and the enthusiasm displayed by the CTL exercise riders who got a race for themselves and were so anxious to prove their worth.

This they did earnestly and with such exuberance that members of the public present at the Park were generous in their support. Congratulations to Tevin Foster, who rode Appellant to victory for trainer Christopher Pearson.