With the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) run and won, trainer Lindsey Smith has turned his focus to next month’s Group 3 Strickland Stakes (2000m) with his exciting galloper, Scales Of Justice.
Scales Of Justice, last year’s Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) champion, confirmed his standing as one of Western Australia’s best gallopers when he turned the Hyperion Stakes into a one-act affair.
The raging $1.30 favourite found the front soon after the start and held that position throughout, kicking clear passing the 200m to defeat Zarantz by three lengths with Miki Two Toes running a top third.
Smith said Scales Of Justice would progress to the Strickland Stakes on July 1 and if successful at his first attempt over the 2000m journey it will open up a host of options for the son of Not A Single Doubt.
Scales Of Justice, who has never finished outside the money in 16 starts, has been inoculated for Hong Kong and could target the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington during the Melbourne spring carnival.
“I don’t think the 2000m will be a worry, but you have to go out and win it,” Smith said.
“If he can run the 2000m it becomes an open road then.”
Scales Of Justice bounced back strongly after suffering a narrow first-up loss in the Belmont Sprint (1400m) when he was caught wide.
In an ominous warning to his rivals, Dan Staeck, who won his second Hyperion Stakes after steering home Marasco (2010), said there was further improvement to come from Scales Of Justice.
“I was able to ride a quality horse very confident,” Staeck said.
“I think there is more improvement too.
“The way he relaxes he will run out 2000m.”
Julio Santarelli