Scales Of Justices’ Campaign Comes To An End
Lindsey Smith will head straight to the paddock with his star gelding Scales Of Justice, ruling out any potential of the seven-year-old returning to Perth for the Ascot carnival.
Smith made the decision to spell the dual Group 1 champion after his fifth placing at Flemington on Saturday, saying a hard run in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) had taken a toll.
“He was just feeling his legs a bit after the race,” Smith told The Races WA.
“I know this horse as well as my children and mindful of what he has been through he can go out for a good spell.
“He will remain in Melbourne and won’t be returning to Perth, he will come back for an autumn campaign next year.
“Races like the Orr Stakes and the All Star Mile is something we might look at.
“He has had his grand final this preparation and gone above expectations.
“I think he is on the way down now while the other horses like we saw on Saturday are on the way up.”
Back and foot problems almost ended Scale Of Justice’s career before an emotional comeback win in the G3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in July, his first win in more than two years.
Scales Of Justice continued his winning ways at the same track and venue when he claimed the second leg of a feature double in the G1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 31, defeating So Si Bon and Alizee.
Scales Of Justice won the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot in 2016 and was crowned Western Australia’s best horse a year later.
He has 11 wins and 12 placings from 27 starts for prize money of $2.2 million.
Meanwhile Smith said veterans Black Heart Bart and Malaguerra faced defining runs in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.
He also said Reykjavik would target the Seymour Cup in October.
Julio Santarelli