John Justice’s smart two-year-old Four Starzzz Forsa is lightning-quick off the arm, but that won’t help him in the Empire Stallions Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic at the harness racing meeting at Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday night.

 

The gelding is by Four Starzzz Shark and out of Soho Paris, who never raced but is a half-sister to the brilliant It Is I and La Speranza.

 

He pinged out to lead in his heat last start from outside the front row.

 

Once in front, Four Starzzz Forsa paced his lead time in 6.4secs and a first quarter of 29.5 before Justice applied the brakes.

 

Ambling through a second split of just 35.6secs, Justice always knew his youngster would have a strong kick late, and he got home in 58secs for the final 800m (30.4secs and 27.6secs third and fourth stanzas) to score by 3.9 metres.

 

But having drawn the back row on Friday night, the early lead won't be an option.

 

“He’s still learning to race so I was pleased he was able to settle so well,” said Justice of the last-start victory.

 

While the barrier draw hasn’t helped his cause, Justice said Four Starzzz Forsa would still give a strong account of himself.

 

“He’s probably best suited as a sit-sprinter at this stage,” he said. “It’ll be a bit different as he gets a bit older and a bit stronger, but he’s a good horse.”

 

Justice said a win for Four Starzzz Forsa in the $50,000 Group 2 Final would be even more special than usual as the pacer was 33 per cent owned by his mother, who turns 84 this month.

 

“It’d make a nice birthday present,” Justice said.

 

Meanwhile, Justice will also line up Mar Nien in the Home Grown Classic Final from barrier seven.

 

Justice has booked comeback reinswoman Tanya Cavallaro to pilot Mar Nien, a son of Rock N Roll Heaven out of Champagnesheffield.

 

“He goes well for Tanya,” Justice said.

 

“He’s a good little horse who has had no luck at the barrier draw. But if they go quick up front he can be getting home at the end.”