Trainer Mohd Yusof told Manoel Nunes there was only one way to go after Constant Justice drew wide in the $100,000 Any Humour 2010 Stakes, an Open Benchmark 83 race over 1100m on Friday night – forward.

The veteran handler said the three-time winning five-year-old son of Magnus needs to hug the running rails to showcase his best.

And from barrier 11 from 12, there are not many options left if he is to secure that spot.

The Brazilian three-time Singapore champion jockey went out and executed Yusof’s plan to a tee. Constant Justice, who does not exactly boast a lightning quick gate speed, was out in a flash this time, crossing over to take up the running after only 200m.



Constant Justice (Manoel Nunes) fights back on the rails to beat Grand Cross (Vlad Duric) into second place, picture Singapore Turf Club

The well-backed Grand Cross (Vlad Duric) came eye-balling him before easing off in second place, content to ride shotgun.

A master tactician when it comes to summing up a race, Nunes had Constant Justice travelling on a bit until the top of the straight when both he and Duric went hell for leather. Grand Cross seemed to have the better momentum on the outside as he poked his head in front, but Constant Justice rallied again to regain the edge before lunging at the line and score by a neck.

Eclair Choice (Zawari Razali) ran third another 1 ¼ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 6.02secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack.

“This horse needs the rails. Last time, he was wide and he couldn’t finish it off,” said Yusof.

“I told Nunes he had to lead from that gate and it’s paid off. He’s a horse whose races were too close to each other.

“I made him canter two over the week and I could tell he was fit for this race. He’s a 1100m horse, I think the 1000m is too sharp for him.

“This win will keep the owners (Lucky Stable) happy.”

Nunes was also happy as he was at the second leg of a riding double after he scored earlier aboard debutant Wooden Heart.

“He’s a horse who wants to hang out all the time, and that’s why he needs to take the fence,” said Nunes.

“He doesn’t change his legs but tonight, the moment he did that in the straight, that’s when he picked up the other horse (Grand Cross).

“Actually, that horse was travelling better than mine at the 600m, but my horse was able to improve on the inside to beat him.”

With that latest win, his fourth win from 14 starts, Constant Justice has now collected more than $260,000 in stakes money for the Lucky Stable