Alice Springs trainer Terry Gillett: Locally-bought That’s Justified a ‘phenomenal’ horse after winning Metric Mile at Darwin Turf Club

AMONG all the celebrations which went into the night, Alice Springs trainer Terry Gillett wanted to make something clear after That’s Justified stormed home on the straight to win the $50,000 Metric Mile at Fannie Bay.

That's Justified wins the 2021 Metric Mile for Terry Gillett, with Stan Tsaikos aboard. Picture: Caroline Camilleri

AMONG all the celebrations which went into the night, Alice Springs trainer Terry Gillett wanted to make something clear after That’s Justified stormed home on the straight to win the $50,000 Metric Mile at Fannie Bay.

“We bought That’s Justified at the yearling sales in Alice Springs, and this shows how important these sales are,” he said.

“SavatoXL was also bought from those sales, and he’s a Group 1-winning horse.

“There’s a really good role call of Territory horses who have gone on to big things after being purchased from those sales.”

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The Gillett stable and his specialist miler were the toast of the Territory last night, the six-year-old a worthy investment indeed.

The star 1600m gelding now has over $330,000 in prizemoney to his name.

He saluted in thrilling fashion with Victorian Stan Tsaikos aboard, edging in front of Dick Leech’s (jockey Sonja Wiseman) Coin Collector late on the straight.

It was a fascinating tussle between the two who traded the lead past the turn, the two keeping their front two positions for the duration of the race.

Gillett proudly said Tsaikos “is practically a stable jockey for us now” before the race, delighted the star hoop has moved to join him in the Red Centre.

He also spoke about how strong the combination was between Tsaikos and the six-year-old heading into the mile feature.

And he was overjoyed with Tsaikos’ ride on Saturday.

That combination is now a very formidable one.

“No one in the Territory is a better rider than Stan at the moment,” Gillett said.

“Six months ago he transferred to our stable and his strike rate for us in that time has been phenomenal.

“He’s had some great opportunities since and he’s rode plenty of winners for me.”

Jockey Stan Tsaikos (right) celebrates his 2021 Metric Mile victory. Picture: Caroline Camilleri

Gillett said Saturday’s victory was like That’s Justified winning a grand final.

He said before the race he would not proceed to the Darwin Cup on August 2 because he is a mile specialist.

“That’s likely be his last run of the Darwin Cup Carnival,” Gillett said.

“I’ll take him back home and he’ll have a well deserved spell.

“Now my focus turns to Ash Grey in the Darwin Cup.”

Gillett could not have spoke any more highly of That’s Justified after Saturday’s victory.

“We got him back off (former Darwin trainer-jockey) Carl Spry (in 2019) and Carl did a wonderful job with him,” he said.

“He’s a phenomenal horse.”

Saturday’s victory was That’s Justified’s first in Darwin in five Top End starts.

“But we were very happy with his form – he finished second and third (before Saturday),” Gillett said.

Other winning horses yesterday were Power Rush (trainer Phil Cole, jockey Sairyn Fawke), Global Wonder (Gary Clarke, Jarrod Todd), Fort Knox (Clarke, Paul Denton), Stroke Of Magic (Cole, Casey Hunter), Belmont Day (Clarke, Todd) and Embley (Kerry Petrick, Hunter).