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Local trainer Mohd Yusof is enjoying one of his best starts after he saddled his third winner barely three weeks into the new season.
Turf Champion and Let’s Talk Now were already the two winners under the low-profile handler’s belt coming into Sunday’s meeting, and now Constant Justice, arguably one of his more consistent horses, has contributed a third win to a yard usually regarded as one of the bit players at Kranji.
After showing the way for new partner Vlad Duric, the Magnus five-year-old looked like he was feeling the full weight of the 59.5kgs on his back inside the last 200m, but the brave gelding never buckled as he fought back like a bulldog to outlast the fast-finishing Nova Missile (Ryan Curatolo) by half-a-length.
Darc Bounty (Glen Boss) had every chance when he wrested the lead from Constant Justice halfway through the race, but Duric smartly popped Constant Justice off the fence to stay in his sights. In the home straight, the 2017 Singapore champion jockey resolutely went flat to the boards and Yusof’s game galloper responded in the best possible way to claim a fifth win for the Lucky Stable.
Sent out as the $13 favourite, Constant Justice completed the 1000m Polytrack circuit in 59.72 seconds, and has now taken his stakes earnings past the $310,000 mark.
“It’s definitely one of my best starts, but I hope I still have a few bullets left,” said Yusof in his usual self-deprecating style.
“This horse was very fit even though he has not run since November and had only one barrier trial coming into today’s race.
“Duric rode him very well. The owners are happy, I’m happy.”
The Australian hoop praised the horse whose previous four wins all came under the guidance of three-time Singapore champion jockey Manoel Nunes, who is currently continuing his riding career in Macau.
“Tough bugger. He just wouldn’t let the other horses past him,” said Duric.
“He’s absolutely bombproof and the merit is even greater considering he did it with 59.5kgs on his back.”