King Of Prussia sprinter Justify That caught holidaying punters off-guard with a $34 victory in the LR Christmas Hcp (1200m) at Morphettville.

Settled at the rear from an outside gate, he moved up three wide with cover and swooped late to lead home a Victorian-sired trifecta from Richie’s Vibe (Danerich) and Sandhill Flash (Written Tycoon).

The veteran of 66 starts has earned over $475,000 and his latest win was the second at Listed level following the Penny Edition Stakes in August 2014.

The Boxing Day result didn’t surprise Strathalbyn-based part-owner and trainer Peter Moody.  “He had been doing very well in the stable and was meeting the others better off at the weights.  And when the weather cooled, I was confident he would be in the finish.

“He doesn’t like the heat at all and I was happy when we got conditions to suit.  He got on the back of the favourite and that’s the sort of position he prefers in a race.”

Greta West Stud sire King Of Prussia got him from Moonee Valley winner Duty With Honour (West Point).  The mare is owned by Wangaratta breeder Alan Price and she has a 2yo filly named Carry Over by Greta West resident Keep The Faith and she foaled a King Of Prussia colt in September.

Justify That is raced by a partnership that includes Moody’s son Nigel and Craig Reid.  He will go for a spell to dodge Adelaide’s heatwaves ahead and return for more suitable races in the autumn.

King Of Prussia (Anabaa) sired a winning treble over the long-weekend.  Magic Monarch won a Wodonga maiden on Boxing Day and Prussian Vixen broke through the following day at Mornington.

JUSTIFY THAT