JUSTIFIABLY HE WAS TOO GOOD

On Good Friday at Canberra, Justifiably delivered a performance that was as tough as it was impressive, stepping up to 2000 metres and proving beyond doubt that he is a genuine staying horse on the rise.



Prepared by our Riverina horseman Darrell Burnet, the five year old son of Justify lined up in Race 2 and from the moment the gates opened, the intent was clear.

Jumping cleanly from barrier eight in a field of ten, Justifiably was urged forward and found himself caught wide early, four deep as the field thundered past the winning post the first time.



It was a searching beginning, but importantly, Blaike McDougall remained composed, allowing his mount to stride and gradually work across to find cover.

Within a few strides, the race shape unfolded perfectly. Justifiably slotted into a beautiful rhythm one off the fence, one back, travelling strongly and comfortably as they worked out of the straight and down the side. When pressure came around him, he was shuffled slightly further back, settling fifth, still in the ideal stalking position, three deep with cover and six lengths off the leader.

From there, the race became a test of patience and timing.

Down the back straight the tempo steadied, but approaching the 700 metres, the pressure dialled up. McDougall eased away from heels and began to build into the race, tracking forward behind runners and angling into clear air. At the 600 metres, as expected, Justifiably hit his flat spot. It is a trait connections know well. However, what separates good horses from average ones is what happens next.

He responded.

Under riding, he picked up, balanced and began to build momentum.

Turning for home, he was pushed out to the widest runner, four deep into the straight and still with work to do, four lengths from the leader.

At the 250 metres, he balanced.

At the 200 metres, McDougall asked the question.

The answer was immediate and powerful.



Justifiably lengthened stride, surged through his gears and swept past his rivals, taking control of the race at the 100 metre mark.



From there, it was a case of arrogance.



The whip was put away, hands and heels to the 50, then an armchair ride to the line as he coasted to victory in a soft and dominant fashion.



The official margin was under a length, but the authority of the win told a far bigger story.





This was a horse in control.

Sky Central commentator: “So they finished 4-2-6-5, Justifiably for Darrell Burnet and Blaike McDougall gets the job done here at $12. Tay Tay Bay second again, $1.90. Brundee Tom had every chance available there, $4.60, and Mr. Tadashi was a really good effort as well. 
“Darrell Burnet’s got a nice pick-up here. “It's good to get a win in today, Terrific.”

Speaking to Darrell, “This horse has been working up to that third-up from the spell, and you had the right man on for the job as well.”

Our trainer Darrell Burnet answered: “Yeah, we dropped three kilos, third-up. The wide gate suits him because he can stay one off and commence his run. He got held up the other day at the vital stage, and it really was vital for him because he just couldn't build his momentum again. 
“So I thought Blaike gave him a great ride. 

“He got sent down in terrific order at the start of the prep by Jason Deamer. He really is a pleasure to train, so we just kept him ticking along and rapt to get a win with the horse for the connections as well. 

Sky Central commentator: “Yeah, and that's only his third start for you, so you just needed to get him up in distance." 

Darrell Burnet said: “Yeah, and Jason had carved out a good pattern. He gave him a trial last prep, straight up to the mile, second up to 2000. So, we just followed the same thing and I really wanted to see him do it today. I thought there was a few things in his corner, so rapt to see him get it done. 
“There's a race at the Wagga carnival now, I think a Bm66 2000 so looking forward to that. 

Sky Central commentator: “Perfect, and he's a five-year-old, with only 20 starts to his name, and he's by the great Justify as well.”

Darrell Burnet answered: “Exactly, hopefully the owners sent him down specifically to sort of aim at some of those Wagga Stayer Series. So now we've got a win, it takes some of the pressure off, we’ll poke along and aim at some of those races.” 

Sky Central commentator: “That was a lovely looking horse, isn't he? Nice colour about him, he's nice and strong. And he just out toughed them there by the looks of it? 

“And we'll have a chat to Blaike and hear his thoughts on it. Blaike I was just saying he just out toughed them there.” 

Blaike McDougall said: “Yeah, he’s a proper stayer. He was turned out well, Darrell has done a good job with him. He did tell me before the race that helped that he drops the bridle a bit early, and you have to ride him through it. He was soft late. He hung out under pressure too, so he will keep progressing in these sorts of races. Thank you.”

Sky Central commentator: “So Justifiably there at really good odds. Takes out the second race.”



Post race, trainer Darrell Burnet was quick to credit both horse and rider, noting that everything had fallen into place third up from the spell. The drop in weight, the wide gate allowing him to stay out of trouble, and most importantly, clear running at the right time all contributed to the result.



Last start, the horse had been held up at a vital stage and lost his momentum. This time, with uninterrupted galloping room, he was able to build, sustain and finish off his race as a true stayer.

Burnet also acknowledged the work of Jason Deamer, who had the horse primed heading into the preparation, and the team simply followed a proven formula. A trial into a mile, then stepping straight to 2000 metres. The plan was clear, and on Good Friday, it was executed to perfection.



For Blaike McDougall, it was a ride full of confidence and understanding. He allowed the horse to travel, rode him through his flat spot and trusted that once balanced, he would finish. His post race assessment summed it up perfectly. A proper stayer who keeps building, gets stronger the further he goes and is only going to improve as he gains confidence and experience.

Importantly, this win opens the door.

With only 20 starts to his name and now proven at 2000 metres, Justifiably profiles as a horse well suited to the staying races on the country circuit, including targets through the Wagga carnival and the Stayers Series.

The pressure is now off. The breakthrough win is secured. The path ahead becomes clearer.

Darrell Burnet then spoke to Blaike McDougall post-race to report to the Owners: “Hey guys, just got Blaike with me. Thanks for the good ride on Justifiably. What were your thoughts?”

Blaike replied: “Yeah, thanks for the ride, guys. From the gates, he began well. We got into a lovely spot, and he travelled really well. There was a bit of pressure there down the back straight. I just had to give him a kick in the guts to get back on the bridle, and he travelled extremely well. He got going in enough time to sort of ride him through his flat spot. And once he got going and built into it, every furlong, he just kept getting better and better. It was a soft win late, a proper stayer, and a gentleman to ride too. So, yeah, like I said, thanks for the ride and hopefully he can take a bit of confidence now. There's not many staying horses in our area, so once he can stay, so the more 2,000 metre races we can find, I'm sure he will credit himself really well. Thanks, mate.”

Congratulations to our Dynamic Syndications Ownership Team who race JUSTIFIABLY. Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr A M Parish, Mrs T E Parish, Mr E Fuller, Simon's Legacy, Mr A G Mitchell, Mr J Naumovski, Mr R B McKay, Mr I J Middleton, Mr D L Wilton, Mr A H Webster, Mr S P Loane, Mr S F Duggan, EST P Bray, Fitch Racing, Mr G J Lang, Dynamic No 139, H O W D Racing
Your patience has been rewarded and there is more to come as this horse continues to furnish into his staying role.



JUSTIFIABLY
5yo Chestnut Gelding

by JUSTIFY (USA) from SAVAPINSKI (NZ)

Trainer:  Darrell Burnet (Wagga Wagga)

Summary: 20=3:4:3    Prizemoney: $79,725

Min/Max-Distance Wins: 1509/2000     1st Up: 3:1-0-0    2nd Up: 3:1-0-0 
  
Dist: 4:2-1-0    Good: 6:1-2-1     Soft: 10:1-2-2     Heavy: 4:1-0-0


1st of 10 CANB 3Apr26 2000m Soft5 BM60 $22,000 ($13,000) Blaike McDougall 59kg Bar8 Rtg56
2nd Taytay Bay 61.5kg, 3rd Brundee Tom 57kg 2:02.13 (600m 35.37), 0.69L, 5th@800m, 4th@400m,
$15/$12/$11/$12

Team Dynamic continues to build momentum.

This victory was our 988th Race Win overall and our 37th Winner for the current season.

The milestone of 1000 Wins is getting closer.

Onwards and Upwards.

Forever Forwards.