Justanexcuse Too Good For Northern Sprinters

9 April 2012

Hardy Awapuni sprinter-miler Justanexcuse took his career winning tally into double figures with an outstanding performance at Te Aroha on Saturday.

Under topweight of 59.5kg and on a dry surface, the No Excuse Needed (pictured) 5YO was brought with a perfectly-timed rails run by Kelly Myers to defy his open class rivals.

The WS-bred and sold gelding had been runner-up Green Supreme on his home track at his previous start and went one better, despite the underfoot conditions.

“I thought he would win the other day and he just got beaten,” Latta said. “We thought we’d run here and the rain was supposed to be coming all week and didn’t arrive, but it was a brilliant ride by Kelly.”

A half-brother to the dam of the Gr 1 Queensland Oaks winner Scarlett Lady Justanexcuse was sold by the farm for $105,000 during the Premier session at Karaka in 2008. He has now won 10 races and has earned more than $280,000.

He has rarely been far from the action this preparation with three wins, including the Gr 3 Challenge Stakes, but will now struggle with the handicapper in handicap events.

“He’s been up a long time and is almost at the stage where he’s a weight-for-age horse,” Latta said. “He’s had a fantastic season though and won a lot of money.”

The Corner with Garry Chittick

It is difficult to maintain momentum when sitting in judgment of racing’s governance. After all, I get no pleasure in searching for non-credible decisions, but one is perpetually bewildered by the rationale behind many of the positions that make little sense.

26 August 2026

Shailer pair building nicely into spring campaigns

WS-breds Justin Case and Magice contributed to a memorable season for Kris Shailer in his return to the training ranks last term, and he is hoping they can continue their form into the new season.