Leading harness racing mentor Justice knows how to win The Stampede.
Harness Racing Victoria’s shortest race is run over 1200 metres at Tabcorp Park Melton, with Justice registering four wins in the feature since its inception in 2004.
In fact, Justice has had a stranglehold on the event in recent years, with his wins coming with Coastal in 2010 and 2011, The Smiler in 2012 and Toulouse Lautrec last year.
This year Justice will be represented by Spokeswoman, with the five-year-old mare drawing the pole and coming off a second at Melton upon debut for her new stable.
“She didn’t get any peace in front,” Justice said of Spokeswoman’s last start when she broke 30 seconds for every quarter of the last mile.
“She battled on really well. And she’d had a chequered time heading into that run, but she’s done huge since and I think she’ll improve a lot.”
Justice explained that despite the short course, tactics were still of vital importance.
“You can’t afford to be any further back than three-pegs,” Justice said. “I think Spokeswoman can lead, but there is some speed drawn in the middle.
“Having said that, I don’t think mine is one-dimensional, she can win from the leader’s back.”
Metro Mike is the early favourite despite drawing gate seven, but Justice believes the gelding might get caught in “no-man’s land” from the draw.
“He gets out of the gate okay, but not brilliant,” Justice said. “He’s got the form on the board, but I think he may have to work exceptionally hard to get to the breeze.”
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HRV Media