Champion pacer Smoken Up will bid for a place in immortality on Saturday night at Globe Derby
Smoken Up has a chance to equal the legendary Gammalite’s record of four SA Cup wins at Betezy Park Globe Derby on Saturday night.
If the Lance Justice-trained 10-year-old can overcome an inside-second-row draw and win the $125,000 Group 1 event, the son of Tinted Cloud will add another SA Cup to his trophy cabinet, which already boasts the 2008, 2011 and 2012 silverware.
And had he not be copped a check and lost a ton of ground in the 2010 version of the race, he could easily be shooting for five Cup wins. On that occasion he lost about 50m early before getting rolled a head by Mister Zion.
Justice, who grew up in South Australia just a stone’s throw from Globe Derby, said the SA Cup held a special place in his heart.
"The race is worth $125,000 this year but I’d still go over there if it was worth $50,000," he said.
"It’s the best race in South Australia."
TAB Sportsbet had Smoken Up $2.50 second-favourite this morning, behind fellow border hopper, odds-on last-start Victoria Cup winner Caribbean Blaster.
Though he’s always confident in Smoken Up’s ability to get things done, Justice said he’d swap barriers with any other runner in Saturday night’s race if given the opportunity.
"I’d swap with Caribbean Blaster (outside the second row) if I could," he said.
"Trigger (Smoken Up) fires up from the second row. He hates being hard up on the fence. He gets claustrophobic. Even when he drew barrier one in the Miracle Mile that he won, the only reason Im Themightyquinn crossed him that night was because Smoken Up ran off the pegs early on.
"He’ll be aggressive on Saturday night, that’s the way he’s been doing it all through his career and he’ll do it again.
"He’s the best beginner from the second row so he’ll be in front of them early."
Justice will also put the polish on Mark Dennis in Saturday night’s feature, the four-year-old son of Bettors Delight drawn barrier 3 and to be driven by John Caldow.
"His owner Paul Nobes is a South Australian. He was a former very good Sheffield Shield cricketer and one our best opening batsmen. He loves his harness racing,’’ Justice said. ``He’ll run a good race."
Justice tipped Caribbean Blaster as the main danger to Smoken Up and added that while Jamies Boy was on fire of late, Mildura form was questionable at Group 1 level.
"He’s a pretty handy horse but his sectionals in his last race weren’t that great. I wouldn’t be getting too excited about Mildura form because they’re beating the same horses every week.’’
Meanwhile, Justice will also contest the Dudley Justice Plate on Saturday night – a race named in honour of his late father – aboard Our Malabar.
Justice puts $3500 into sponsoring the race each year, something he’s done since he moved his training operation to Victoria, and this will be the first time he’s contested the race.
"Our Malabar is a good show," he said.
