Justice First has flown the flag for La Grange throughout the Winter and after a well deserved month break he returned to action at Wolverhampton last night in the 7f 0-80 handicap. It was a slight drop in grade from the competitive handicaps he had previously been contesting and we hoped he would be competitive. The son of Zebedee travelled strongly under Martin Harley and was still on the bridle entering the straight before he was produced to win his race at the furlong pole and he moved away to win cosily.
This was Justice First's fourth career victory and the highest mark he has won off, having previously won off of 73 at Kempton. He got the fast early pace that he thrives on and will now recieve a new career high mark around the 80 level. We hope he can continue to be competitive but he pays for his commendable consistency and he will always be vulnerable to a well handicapped horse.
Michael's Mount was running over one and a half miles on his handicap debut at Windsor ten minutes after Justice First at 8:00. The son of Mount Nelson had been held up in a tactical race at Kempton that did not play to his strengths and we expected a lot more from him here. He had been quietly pleasing us at home and had seemed to be thriving of late. There was a slow early gallop but Pat Cosgrave soon had him tracking the leaders and into a settled rhythm during the early stages of the race. He set sail for home around two furlongs from the finish line and he kept galloping right to the winning line to hold off the gallant Marmajuke Bay in second by one and a half lengths.
We hope our three year old can continue to progress as the season develops and his determined attitude here suggests he should win for us again this season. The handicapper cannot be too hard on him as it was a workmanlike performance and the favourite seemed to fail to see out the mile and a half trip. He seemed to handle the soft ground with aplomb and that increases the options open to him going forward.
Congratulations to Mr Ng on Justice First's success and also the Miltil Consortium on their win with Michael's Mount. The Consortium have been very patient with their gelding and it is lovely to see their patience rewarded. Well done to all the team, we continue to keep up the good momentum and everyone's hard work and dedication is continuing to pay off. We hope that everyone can keep pushing and with luck the weather will get warmer soon to help bring the horses forward and keep the smiles on everyone's faces.