STAR OF JUSTICE

Star of Justice was a classy Group 3 winner at just her third start.

The 3YO Justify filly had shown no liking to the Heavy10 conditions on debut at Manawatu in August 2023. However with a Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas' tilt in the back of their minds, trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson sent her to Te Akau's southern base.

Her next races showed just how astute this duo is!

Stepping out at Riccarton on 16 September 2023 on a Good4 track, Star of Justice was confidently ridden by Warren Kennedy to maiden success over 1200m - she kicked clear at the 400m and went on to win by an impressive 3.8 lengths in a dominant display.

Precisely one month later, she took on stablemate, stakes' winning Viva Vienna and a class field in the $100,000 Group 3 Barneswood Stakes 3YO SW 1400m - again enjoying the firmer track conditions.   The meeting was in fact rescheduled to the Monday due to gale force wins causing havoc, and postponement, on the Saturday at Ashburton.

While Viva Vienna, winner of the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes, was declared race favourite, Star of Justice had other ideas. In the hands of Darren Danis, she settled beautifully in the trail, and drove hard in the final stages to claim victory by a length over her stablemate - a Te Akau quinella - and Te Akau's 8th win of this time-honoured event.

Star of Justice was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at Karaka for $190,000.  Raced by the Te Akau Fair and Just Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) she has raced three times for two wins and a placing, earring $73,875 in prize money to date.