Perfect Justice, prepared by John Sargent, had been a consistent runner-up as the favourite in its previous two outings, but was once again supported into favouritism at $4.20 and duly triumphed by running down The Mona Lisa in the Midway Handicap (1600m).
This marked Grima’s 31st metropolitan success in the 2025/26 season, breaking the tie with the 30-win defending champion Braith Nock, as the two young riders compete fiercely for the Sydney apprentices premiership.
With only five metropolitan meetings remaining for the season, Grima is in a strong position to become just the fourth female apprentice after Rachel King (2017/18), Winona Costin (2014-15), and Kathy O’Hara (2004-05) to achieve this esteemed title.
“It’s good to be in front in the premiership but there’s still a lot of work to do,” Grima stated.
“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 finished with a strong surge to overtake The Mona Lisa ($7) by a long neck, reversing the placings from their previous encounter in a Randwick Midway race two weeks ago. They finished more than five lengths ahead of Murphilly ($6.50).
Trainer John Sargent expressed his relief that Perfect Justice had finally achieved a win 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 commented.
“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 delivered a tactical masterpiece on the Cameron Crockett-trained Leovanni to secure victory in the TAB Highway Plate (1600m).
Collett positioned Leovanni ($20) to trail the hot favourite Moon Sweeper ($1.50) throughout the race, then peeled off the grey’s back in the straight to finish too strongly and win by a half-length. Red Rags To Bulls ($9.50) was a further two lengths back in third.
“I wanted to have my mare in a position to follow Moon Sweeper through the race,” Collett said. “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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