IN sport and racing, some wins simply mean more than others. 

Often, victories are elevated in esteem through prizemoney or prestige, sometimes the pleasure of success is sweetened by the presence of friendship or, alternatively, vengeance. 

Rarely, however, triumphs arrive at the perfect time to memorialise a loved one or celebrate their life. 

These are the greatest wins of all, which is why Helluva’s race one success on Saturday night at Tabcorp Park Melton meant so very much. 

Last Tuesday, Justice-family matriarch, Josie, succumbed on her 91st birthday following a short battle with cancer. 

Amazingly, despite her nonagenarian status, Josie had been back in the winners' list as a trainer earlier this year when High In The Sky saluted at Tabcorp Park Melton. That story was covered widely, including a piece played out via the Channel 9 news.

The story of Helluva’s Saturday night success won’t be read as widely, but it’s just as special. 

For the few in racing that don’t know, Josie Justice is the mother of legendary trainer/drivers John and Lance.

John is best known for his deeds with Shakamaker and Safe And Sound among others, while Lance’s connection with Sokyola and Smoken Up will forever ensure his Hall of Fame status. 

Helluva is trained and piloted by John. He may not be ‘Shaka’, but Helluva is one hell of a nice horse, and the emotions emanating from the entire Justice clan following his metropolitan triumph were both obvious and very understandable. 

Helluva nailed his second success so far this campaign by upsetting short-priced favourite Bettor Isolate on what was a roller-coaster night for highly touted and top-ranked horses. 

The winners were Treachery, who crushed her rivals with a 54-second half in the Melton Mares Championship, Locksley Lover and Rock N Roll Doo.

The losers were Bettor Isolate, Patsbeachstorm and Majestuoso. 

In fairness, Patsbeachstorm and Majestuoso were both fresh from breaks and Bettor Isolate worked overtime despite never looking himself, but punters playing multis probably still got burned. 

None of these details would have mattered to John Justice and his family, however. 

They didn’t win the biggest race at Melton on the weekend, nevertheless the night, its spirit, totally belonged to them.

JOHN JUSTICE TALKS TO TROTSVISION AFTER HIS WIN:

COMPARING the influence drivers have in harness racing to other sporting pursuits is something of an opinion business. 

Despite that fact, it’s tough to argue against their extraordinary, game-changing influence. 

On face value, a great driver is worth more than a great jockey, a great tall forward or a great quarterback. 

This much was evident when Mark Pitt took the reins on Sundons Courage in Saturday night’s Aldebaran Park Lenin Trotters Free For All. 

This is no knock on virtual co-trainer Brad Angove, who had piloted Sundons Courage at his past two starts. Angove is an outstanding horseman and a very handy driver. Pitt, however, he is something else. 

The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.