Talented I Am Invincible three year-old The Justice League may have tried Nigel Tiley’s patience this season, but the Pukekohe trainer never lost faith in his ability to foot it with the best of his age group. That point was finally proven, much to the satisfaction of the former top jockey, on Saturday at Trentham where the powerfully-built gelding triumphed in the Group II Go Racing Syndications Wellington Guineas over 1400 metres. “We put the blinkers back on him today and I think they have made all the difference,” Tiley said. “Since he had that fall he’s been a bit field shy. It’s the first time today that he’s had a trouble-free run for quite a while and showed what he can do.” The Justice League’s season started ideally with a Listed success in the Northland Breeders’ Stakes, but little has gone to plan since. He missed a lead-up run before the Group I NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton where he was caught three wide from an outside gate and, when freshened, he clipped heels and fell at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. On his return to the Auckland course he copped a check when fourth and then rounded off strongly for second at Matamata when giving weight to all his rivals. “He’s really looking for a mile now so we kept him fresh for this – he’s got some gears,” Tiley said. The Justice League was ridden by his wife Lee, who had the gelding on the outside of the leader and once he got to the front in the run home he wasn’t to be denied and held a strong gallop to the post. “Things went well and he raced like a true professional,” she said. “He got into a beautiful rhythm and I had a lot of horse underneath me.” Already a stakes-winner, The Justice League has the overall record of three wins and two placings from 10 starts. A half-brother to Group II placed Vive La Difference, The Justice League was a $50,000 NZB Select Sale purchase from the draft of Lyndhurst Stud and is the best of three winners from Peintre Celebre (USA) mare L’artiste, a grand-daughter of stakes-winner Jewel in the Crown. This is the family of international Group I winner Sterling City and Group winners So Gorgeous, Tipungwuti and Wild Queen tracing back to the Denise’s Joy family. The Justice League is one of 10 stakes-winners for I Am Invincible, who was in hot demand last spring covering 198 mares at Yarraman Park at the increased fee of $55,000.
