Justify Ends May with International Stakes Double
It was two international stakes winners for Justify on Saturday when Pray For Mir (4g Justify x Formality, by Fastnet Rock) became his sire’s first Hong King stakes winner in the Group III Lion Rock Trophy and Hug (3c Justify x Fleet Bernie, by Afleet Alex) won the Listed Hosu Stakes in Japan.
Looking for his second Hong Kong victory in the one-mile turf race, Pray For Mir controlled the lead throughout. Another horse mounted a challenge inside the final furlong but Pray For Mir refused to give in and won by half a length.
The Cody Mo-trained runner was an AU$950,000 purchase from the Coolmore consignment at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and won twice in Australia before purchased by Chris So Chung Hung and Alexander So.
In Japan, Hug showed Justify throws versatile runners with a victory over 1 1/8 miles on the dirt.
Hug tracked the leaders at Kyoto when racing keenly a few paths wide. Racing alongside another eager runner when held tightly by his rider throughout the early and mid stages, Hug was happy to go when cued. He collared the leaders turning into the stretch and by the time they had straightened was fighting for the lead.
The colt received a few taps in the final furlong, but he didn’t need much encouragement to race to a two-length win.
Trained by Kenichi Fujioka for Yoshizawa Holdings, the Matsuura Bokujo-bred was winning for the second time and also has a stakes second place finish to his name in his five starts as well.
These are the 45th and 46th winners worldwide overall for Justify, who had five stakes winners in five different countries in May.