Dual celebration for Oamaru trainer - "a great thrill"

By Jonny Turner 

Justin Fun handed her owner-trainer Kerry Kelly a win she won’t forget when sprinting to victory at Cromwell yesterday.

Kelly celebrated her birthday in style when her veteran mare ran to a deserved victory in race 2.

The Oamaru horsewoman watched on from home as Justin Fun zipped up the Cromwell passing lane to register her second training win.

Kelly said the victory made for a birthday she won’t forget.

“I won’t forget it now, it was a great thrill, I am really pleased.”

Justin Fun was perfectly handled by Matthew Williamson who gave the mare a sweet run in the trail in her 1800m assignment.

After building her form in her recent starts, the pacer took full advantage of her trip in the trail to register her first victory in her 28th start.

“She’s had a few issues, so we didn’t start racing until later on,” Kelly said.

“Matty really likes her and he knows her well, he’s figured her out.”

“She is not really a sprinter but we will take what we can get.”

Kelly described Justin Fun as a ‘piece of cake’ to train but she prefaced those comments by saying the mare can be moody at times.

“She can be a bit grumpy at times, you do have to watch her.

“If you get a bit slack she can give you a bit of a bite or a kick, when you’re putting her cover on or doing something like that.”

“But having said that she is a piece of cake most of the time.”

Kelly watched her win while looking after her horses at home while Matthew Williamson took care of Justin Time.

Kelly plans to start the mare on the second day of the two-day Cromwell meeting which will be held tomorrow.

Yesterday’s Cromwell meeting came just two days after the completion of the National Yearling Sales in Christchurch.

The ten-race card was dominated by sires who would struggle to make an impact in the sales ring.

Those less than commercial stallions who showed they can still a notch winner included Justin Time’s sire Changeover, as well as Tintin In America, Peak, Sportswriter, A Rocknroll Dance and Highview Tommy.