Doncaster Contender for Magnus

Bendigo-based trainer Josh Julius completed a successful hit and run mission with his Magnus gelding Just Folk in Saturday’s $200,000 Group II Hyland Race Colours Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.

Ridden by Jason Collett, Just Folk cut the corner on the home turn and try as he might the favourite Ellsberg could get no closer a short-neck on the line with Zoustar mare Kiku in third place.

The winner of the Group II MVRC Schweppes Crystal Mile last spring, Just Folk advances his record to six wins, two seconds and a third from 19 starts with earnings of $505,288.

“We took a big risk, we are obviously a very small stable at Bendigo. Taking this horse away from home and being away from Cassie, my wife, and Frankie, my 2-1/2-year-old daughter for a week, it’s been the longest I have ever been away from them, and it has been tough,” Julius said.

“We’ve got 18 at work, 17 back home with this fellow here but we’ve got a very loyal band of owners and they will all get as much of a thrill out of this as we will.

“This is the racing industry, it’s full of dreams. We said this horse wouldn’t know himself with 55.5kg on his back and Jason has given him a terrific ride. He won’t know himself again in three weeks with 50 on his back (in the Doncaster), that’s for sure.”

Bred by Leo Dwyer, Just Folk is the best of two winners from three to race out of the unraced Desert Sun (GB) mare Fast Ruby, a half-sister to Group I VRC Emirates Stakes winner Tears I Cry. Dwyer acquired Fast Rub’s dam Cassazione for $4000 at the 1998 Inglis July Mixed. Sale.

A granddaughter of the 1990 Group I VRC Oaks heroine Weekend Delight, Fast Ruby has a weanling sister to Just Folk and she was covered by Widden Stud’s Magnus again last season.