Chevy to get revvy

No harness racing reinsman will have a greater sense of deja vu than Lance Justice when he partners Love Ina Chevy in the first heat of the All In One Property Mercury80 at Tabcorp Park on Friday night.

Justice and the 10-year-old warhorse will contest the annual 1200-metre series, a short-course distance that’s rare in the trots but is one they both know well.

The pair have combined four times to contest March’s Citywide Stampede, winning it in 2020, while Justice steered Coastal to victories in the 2010 and 2011 stagings.

He said the Mercury80 was perfectly suited to Love Ina Chevy.

“He has high speed and loves a short trip and they don’t come any shorter,” he said.

In early 2016 Love Ina Chevy’s plight went viral on social media as he cheated almost certain death following a snake bite at Justice’s Melton property.

The trainer concedes he couldn’t foresee the son of Jeremes Jet chalking up a subsequent 150 trips to the races.

“I didn’t expect him to have so much longevity after such a life-threatening experience,” he said.

Not only has he raced with regularity but he’s enjoyed 28 wins and Justice expects he’ll be in Friday’s race up to his eyes from the coveted pole draw.

“We either push forward to hold the lead or take a sit,” he said.

“The year he won it was from behind the leader, however you have to be careful in handing up as you could end up three back the pegs.

“I was really happy with his work this morning and I think he is a sneaky hope.”

Tactics are sure to play a key role in the race, with the Emma Stewart prepared Fourbigmen likely to press forward from its mid front row draw, while both Diamonds N Cash and La Puddie will be looking to slot in from barriers seven and eight respectively.

The series consists of four heats into the $50,000 final on February 5, which is Del-Re National A. G. Hunter Cup night, with heats to come on January 14, 21 and 29, all at Tabcorp Park Melton.

It’s the third running of the series, with Always Fast (2020) and Yorkshire (2021) having their names on the honour roll.

By John Dunne for HRV