Emerging young reinswoman Ewa Justice heeded some fatherly advice as she headed out onto the track behind Helluva in the Lennytheshark Free For All at Melton Entertainment Park on Saturday night.
“You just drive this horse right and rate him well and you will win,” were the words of wisdom John Justice imparted to his daughter prior to the race.
And Ewa carried out the instructions to the letter.
Justice urged the six-year-old out of the pole and was able to retain the front running as she took the field through a 60.4 first half of the last mile, followed by a 28.4 back straight quarter.
The race then developed into a frantic dash to the line with Helluva ($4.40) reeling off a 26.9 last 400 metres to hold off noted sit-sprinter Triple Eight by a head. Tango Tara was a gallant third after sitting parked.
Justice acknowledged she was able to make full use of a favorable barrier with Triple Eight awaiting the sprint lane.
“I just wanted to wait as long as possible knowing Triple Eight was on my back and I am super happy that he was able to sprint hard enough and it shows what a good barrier draw can do for a horse like him,” she said.
“The whole way Greg (Sugars) was hitting me on the helmet trying to get me to go faster.”
The win was Helluva’s fifth metropolitan success and took his stake earnings to more than $170,000.