Perth race to determine Cox Plate tilt

Perth trainer Lindsey Smith is prepared to take on the world’s highest rated turf horse in the Cox Plate if Scales Of Justice convinces him he can run 2000m.

Yet to finish out of a place in 16 starts which include eight victories, Scales Of Justice will run in the Group Three Strickland Stakes (2000m) at Belmont on July 1 as a barometer for a trip to Melbourne to take on Winx in October.

“He’s got to run over 2000 metres and run well,” Smith told Melbourne radio RSN927.

“He’s a beautiful horse. In the past the good horses I’ve had I’ve worried myself a little bit, but this time I’m going to enjoy it.

“If I run fifth or sixth in the Cox Plate it wouldn’t worry me.

“I’m not going to run away from her (Winx) because she’s better than me, I’m just going to go with the tide.”

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Scales Of Justice led throughout to score over 1600m at Belmont on Saturday.

In Perth last summer, Scales Of Justice won the Group One Railway Stakes before being beaten by Stratum Star in the Group One Kingston Town Stakes.

Hong Kong-based Douglas Whyte was handed a one-month ban for failing to ride Scales Of Justice out to the line in that race.

Smith has previously tasted success in Melbourne, winning the Australian Cup with Old Comrade in 2002 and said Scales Of Justice was starting to head in a similar direction.

He said if Scales Of Justice indicated he did not run 2000m he would be happy to stay in Perth for another tilt at the Railway Stakes and Kingston Town Stakes.

“If he does run 2000 metres then it opens up the world for him,” Smith said.