When Scales Of Justice won the Group 1 Railway Stakes before a close second in the Group 1 Kingston Town Stakes in the final few weeks of 2016, the son of Not A Single Doubt looked capable of mixing it with the best in the country.
Trainer Lindsey Smith has had his problems with the 6yo gelding who had not won since capturing the Group III Strickland Stakes at Belmont over two years ago.
So it was no surprise when Smith was emotional after Scales Of Justice put a class field to the sword in Saturday's Group III Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. (images Grant Courtney )
"I didn't think he'd ever race again," Smith told racing.com.
"I nursed him because I didn't want to break him and I've spoiled him but he's repaid us all today.
"It was a bit emotional and I had to stay back there because I got a bit teary," Smith admitted after the race. "They are like your children.
"He's a wonderful horse. He's got the best eyes. I've said it many times that he's got the best character of any horse I've ever seen or dealt with."
With the favourite Cesar ripping and tearing back in the field, Dean Yendall had Scales Of Justice travelling sweetly behind the grand old warrior Jungle Edge (Dubawi) who had no answer to the finishing burst of the Not A Single Doubt gelding who went on to win by three and a quarter lengths. Jungle Edge was two and a half lengths ahead of third-placed Cliff's Edge (Canford Cliffs).
With his fifth stakes victory, Scales Of Justice advances his overall record to 10 wins, 8 seconds and 3 thirds from 24 starts with earnings of $317,350.
Bred by Gerard and Kathy Hammond, Scales Of Justice was consigned to the 2014 Inglis Premier Yearling sale by Milford Thoroughbreds where he was knocked down to Boomer Bloodstock/Lindsey Smith for $180,000.
A half-brother to three winners including the stakes-placed Cruyfforme (Johan Cruyff), Scales Of Justice is the sixth live foal of the unraced Umatilla mare Beymatilla, a half-sister to the stakes-placed Rancho Rose and to the dam of Group III VRC Standish Handicap winner King Hoaks (King Charlemagne).
Beymatilla was consigned to the 2014 Great Southern Bloodstock Sale where she could not make her paltry $400 reserve but she did not have a live foal after Scales Of Justice and was pensioned after missing to Magnus in 2015.
