Justice says Mufasa Metro “might just blow them away”

John Justice made no attempt to feign cautious expectation about the chances of Mufasa Metro when he tackles the state’s best squaregaiters in the Group 3 DNR Logistics Vulcan Trotters Free For All Saturday night.

The four-year-old tuned up for the toughest assignment of his career at Tabcorp Park Melton with a stunning win in a national rating 67 to 79 race at headquarters a fortnight ago.

“He disappointed me first up at Ballarat but he certainly didn’t at Melton at his next start,” Justice said.

Justice entered the former Kiwi into Saturday’s Group 3 headliner on the assurance of a favorable barrier and an innate belief in his horse.

“I knew he would draw all right so we will see what happens,” he said.

Purchased by prominent owner Mark Gurry after finishing runner up in a Group 1 event at Waikato, Mufasa Metro was a finalist in both the Victoria Derby and Breeders Crown last season.

And Justice believes the son of Father Patrick has the weaponry to make full use of the pole over the 1720-metre sprint trip.

“He’s pretty fast and if he puts his best foot forward he might just blow them away,” he said.

Justice is hoping he will be further versed about Mufasa Metro’s chances in upcoming features after the race.

“We’ll see what happens after Saturday night but the Inter Dominion later in the year is a possibility and it will give us a guide to how he will handle a race like the Great Southern Star,” he said.

Justice concedes he was seduced by the moment when he compared Mufasa Metro favorably to his multiple Group 1 trotter Lenin a fortnight ago.

“I was probably caught on the hop when Rob (Auber) asked me for a comparison with Lenin,” he said.

“They are two different horses, Lenin won three Dullard Cups and made an Inter Dominion Final so this horse has to get there yet and he might one day.

“He has speed and stamina, he handled the 2600 metres in the Breeders Crown and Derby without much trouble.”

Justice acknowledged the main danger was likely to be on his back should he hold the front running.

“There is always the chance of getting run down from behind and Always Ready is likely to have the drop on him if we hold the lead,” he said.