Victorian front-runner Scales Group 1 in Perth

Scales Of Justice notched the latest Group 1 triumph for Victoria with a front-running victory in Saturday’s Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.

His meteoric rise up the ranks in Perth has been well-documented especially after an eye-catching victory in the Group 3 R J Peters Stakes that saw him jump as one of the more favoured runners in the $1 million Railway.

A son of Not A Single Doubt, he was bred by Gerard and Kathy Hammond in Victoria and sold for $180,000 when offered by Millford Thoroughbreds at the 2014 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

Scales Of Justice was sent to trainer Lindsey Smith and he’s turned that price-tag into a windfall for owners Chris Wells and Bill Andrews who knocked back a significant offer from Hong Kong earlier this year.

Smith said Scales Of Justice will return east for next year’s Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m).  “He might have to stay (with another trainer) over there,” Smith said.  “We’ve always thought he could win in Melbourne.  I would like to see him at Flemington where he could bowl along in front.”

The Group 1 winning trainer claimed the Australian Cup in 2002 with Old Comrade and the Victoria Derby in 2004 with Plastered.  Short-term, Smith’s focus is the $1 million Kingston Town Classic (1800m) on December 3.

“He’s pulled up well from Saturday and I’m hoping Dougie (Whyte) will make another trip to Perth to ride him in the Kingston Town.”

Scales Of Justice is the last foal from Beymatilla, however, the Hammonds did retain her 2010 filly Another Show (Al Maher).  She has a yearling colt by Americain and a filly foal by Written Tycoon.

SCALES OF JUSTICE

SCALES OF JUSTICE