Former Victorian filly Justice Glory made her Singapore debut with a bang when she took out the $80,000 Perth Racing Trophy, a Class 3 race over 1200m on Sunday.
A two-time winner at Sandown over 1200m and 1300m for the training partnership of David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, the Fastnet Rock three-year-old came off a ground-saving run on the rails in midfield to gun down the duelling pair of First Choice (Barend Vorster) and Enchanted Mister (Nooresh Juglall) in the straight to score by a neck from the fast-closing Sandtop (Mohd Zaki).
Pioneer Seven (Benny Woodworth) plugged away nicely for third place another one length away.
Justice Glory (Alysha Collett) gets on the scoresheet at her first start in Singapore, picture Singapore Turf Club
Well specked down to $25, Justice Glory clocked a smart time of 1min 10.1secs for the 1200m on the Long Course.
Winning trainer Mark Walker said he was a little worried when the filly looked hemmed in a pocket turning for home, but the sharpness of her acceleration coupled with the Long Course bailed the Lucky Stable-owned newcomer out.
“She is by a champion sire and out of a Zabeel mare (Tavarnelle); she will improve with more time. She will need more distance as well,” said the reigning Singapore champion trainer.
“We didn’t want to bustle her up too much at her first run, but we thought she had a good chance first-up.
“I was a bit concerned coming to the turn. I wasn’t sure whether she would get out, but she did and Alysha (Collett) rode her very well.
“Alysha comes from a great New Zealand racing family and will do well here. She can ride light and she works hard.”
Recently licensed for six months in Singapore, Collett was ringing up her second Kranji success after opening her account on Kranji Mile day aboard Eye Guy last Saturday week.
“She didn’t have much pace early, but I got her in a lovely rhythm and she was breathing nicely in midfield,” said Collett who was second on the New Zealand log before she relocated to Kranji.
“Once I peeled her out for her run, she gave a nice kick. The others struggled to catch us.”
