Alice Springs trainer Terry Gillett: A That’s Justified win makes sense in Darwin Cup Carnival TAB Metric Mile at Fannie Bay

CONFIDENCE is high among the Terry Gillett camp regarding That’s Justified hitting top form going into today’s $50,000 TAB Metric Mile (1600m) at Fannie Bay.

That’s Justified, trained by Terry Gillett, is a good chance of winning Saturday’s $50,000 TAB Metric Mile (1600m) at Fannie Bay. Picture: Nikki Westover

CONFIDENCE is high among the Terry Gillett camp regarding That’s Justified hitting top form going into Saturday’s $50,000 TAB Metric Mile (1600m) at Fannie Bay.

It is welcome news for the six-year-old who – by his own high standards – finished a disappointing ninth in the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) at Pioneer Park on May 2.

Since then, he has finished second in the $20,000 Pioneer Park Anniversary Cup (1100m) on June 20 and third in the $25,000 TAB ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) at Fannie Bay on July 3.

MORE NT NEWS SPORT STORIES

Budget King looking for strong showing in Metric Mile in lead-up to potential Darwin Cup berth

‘Naughty boy’ Sanblas, with jockey Sonja Wiseman, wins 2021 NT Derby for Heather Lehmann

The Captain impresses for Gary Clarke again, winning the Silks Darwin Weight-For-Age in Darwin

He will also drop 1 ½kg for Saturday’s annual feature in Darwin.

“He’s been going well, and it was only recently he set a track record (after running 1min32.83sec before winning by seven lengths in the $40,000 Red Centre Technology Partners Chief Ministers Cup over a mile on April 25),” Gillett said.

“He ran a nice third (in the ROANT Gold Cup) and we’re happy as Larry with him.”

That’s Justified showed his toughness in that run, his only start so far during the 2021 Darwin Cup Carnival.

“He drew barrier 11 and was carrying 60 ½kg,” Gillett said.

“And we would’ve liked that run to be over a mile for him.

“He won’t be running in the Darwin Cup, but he loves a mile.

“He showed that when he won the Chief Ministers Cup by seven lengths.”

Another thing in That’s Justified’s favour will be his jockey, Stan Tsaikos.

Tsaikos – a Victorian jockey who has had plenty of success in that state – has now built a formidable connection with respected Alice Springs mentor Gillett.

“Stan and I have something like a 44 per cent win rate. We’ve built a good combination,” Gillett said.

“He’s basically been my stable rider the past six months.

“He finished second in the NT jockeys’ premiership and first in the Alice Springs one.”

Before the 2021 Alice Springs Cup, Tsaikos spoke highly about the talent which That’s Justified possesses.

“Terry told me ‘you’ve got the pick of both horses’ (That’s Justified and 2019 Darwin Chief Minister’s Cup winner Ash Grey) and I’m happy I picked That’s Justified,” Tsaikos said at the time.

“It didn’t take long for me to make that decision.”

Meanwhile, Gillett said all systems were go for Ash Grey heading into the Darwin Cup over 2050m on August 2.

The eight-year-old finished third in the 2020 edition, less than a length behind winner Ihtsahymn (trainer Rob Gulberti, jockey Peter Hall).

Ash Grey ran eighth from eight runners in the $20,500 The Paddock Handicap (1300m) on June 19.

He then finished sixth in the Chief Minister’s Cup on July 10, almost seven lengths behind Nicole Bruggemann’s victor Highly Decorated.

“We feel as though he’s improving in Darwin,” Gillett said.

Gillett is also confident in Faolan’s chances in the $20,000 Cullen Bay Fishing Charters Handicap (1600m) on Saturday.

The six-year-old won the $24,000 Betfair Handicap (1600m) on July 3, beating the eventual winner of the Buntine Handicap on July 17, Lotion.