The huge South Australian crowd were as excited as Lance Justice himself when he crossed the line as the winner of the 2007 2007 Seelite Windows & Doors Inter Dominion Trotters Grand Final at Globe Derby Park tonight (January 13).
Former South Australian horseman Lance Justice missed winning an Inter Dominion with champion pacer Sokyola despite the superstar earning close to $2 million, but he finally wrote his name into the Inter Dominion record books with New Zealand-bred squaregaiter Uncle Petrika.
Uncle Petrika is raced by South Australian Colin Croft, who also owns the champion Sokyola, further enhancing the local flavour of the victory.
Uncle Petrika stepped well from the the outside of the second line, spearing through to take up the lead from pole horse Motu Miss Anna with 2200-metres to run. Justice then drove a sensational race when leading and rating his horse to perfection.
Chris Alford bought Glenbogle three-wide around the field just short of the final lap, while the other two favourites, A Touch Of Flair and Whatsundermykilt, both made their runs late as expected but none of them could catch Justice and Uncle Petrika.
The former Kiwi squaregaiter is no stranger to success at Globe Derby Park although his last victory at the track was soured by a positive swab. Uncle Petrika won the 2003 SA Trotters Derby when trained by Kevin Townley, but was subsequently disqualified from the event.
Owner Colin Croft praised trainer-driver Lance Justice who suggested he purchase the horse after the SA Derby win.
“I never doubted his word,” Croft said as he accepted the Inter Dominion Championship trophy and lions share of the $200,000 purse.