Siena Grima takes premiership lead after Perfect Justice victory

Perfect Justice, trained by John Sargent, had been a bridesmaid in consecutive starts as the favourite but was once again backed into favouritism at $4.20 and delivered accordingly, running down The Mona Lisa in the Midway Handicap (1600m).

This triumph marked Grima's 31st metropolitan win of the 2025/26 season, edging ahead of defending champion Braith Nock (30 wins) in the race for the Sydney apprentices premiership.

With only five metropolitan meetings left in the season, Grima is strongly positioned to become the fourth female apprentice after Rachel King (2017/18), Winona Costin (2014-15), and Kathy O'Hara (2004-05) to claim the prestigious title.

"It's good to be in front in the premiership but there's still a lot of work to do,'' Grima commented. "I was confident during the race on Perfect Justice because even though we were three-wide with cover, he was handling the conditions and I thought we were in the better going. "When The Mona Lisa kicked, for a couple of strides I was a bit worried but the blinkers helped and he really attacked the line today."

Perfect Justice powered to the finish, beating The Mona Lisa ($7) by a long neck, reversing their placings from their prior meeting in a Randwick Midway fixture two weeks ago. The pair finished more than five lengths clear of third-placed Murphilly ($6.50).

Trainer John Sargent expressed his relief that Perfect Justice finally broke through after a couple of near misses this campaign.

"I know he was becoming a little costly for punters when he was beaten as favourite two races in a row but I hope they stuck with him today and got their money back,'' Sargent said.

"The blinkers kept him focussed and he really wanted to chase after The Mona Lisa today.

"I was actually looking for a 2000m race for him but decided to give him another run at the 1600m because the heavy track would make it a bit more of a test.

"We will keep him going for now, he's racing well and handles the wet tracks so it's the right time of year to have him in work. I'll see if we can step him up in trip next start."

Earlier, Alysha Collett produced a tactical masterclass aboard Cameron Crockett’s Leovanni to win the TAB Highway Plate (1600m).

Collett kept Leovanni ($20) in close pursuit of the heavily favoured Moon Sweeper ($1.50) throughout the race, before launching from the grey's slipstream in the home straight to finish stronger and win by a half-length. Red Rags To Bulls ($9.50) secured third place, over two lengths behind.

"I wanted to have my mare in a position to follow Moon Sweeper through the race,'' Collett stated. "Moon Sweeper got to the front but I could sense he was 'loafing' just a little. My mare dug deep but it was only in the last 50m or so I was confident she was going to get there."

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