RACING is full of dramatic highs and the lowest of lows and top trainer Lindsey Smith has experienced both.
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But on Thursday morning Smith experienced one of the worst when his star galloper Scales Of Justice had a heart attack and died at Warrnambool's Lady Bay.
Scales of Justice, who won Victorian group one races the Australian Stakes and the Memsie Stakes this season, collapsed and attempts to save his life were in vain.
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The sprinter-miler was being set for a Melbourne spring campaign by the astute trainer which was to culminate in more feature group one races.
Smith told The Standard he was devastated for Scales Of Justice's owners and his staff.
"I feel really sad for Scales Of Justice's owners and all our staff," he said.
"We are all shocked. Scales Of Justice was a stable favourite. He gave his best at every race start. Scales Of Justice had a lovely nature.
"These things can happen with animals but it's not easy to cope with because we all get so attached to our horses."
The seven-year-old, who had back and foot injuries earlier in his career, won the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield last year after a three-year break of victories at the elite level.
Racing Victoria Stewards notified Smith they would take Scales of Justice's remains away for cremation and give his ashes back to the owners to do with them as they wish.
From his 30 starts the former Western Australian horse of the year won 12 races and was in the minor place-getters stall on 12 occasions.
He earned more than $2.3 million in stakemoney for his connections.
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