Just Folk and Julius set for Group 1 debut in Cantala Stakes

Buoyed by an astonishing career first Group 2 victory in last Saturday's Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley, the five-year-old Magnus gelding has earned his shot at a first Group 1 in the $2m Cantala Stakes (1600m).

It's both a free shot at the stumps, but more so a hugely deserved crack at the top echelon of racing.

Just Folk was as good as on his way to the spelling paddock after his brilliant Crystal Mile victory on Cox Plate day, but the temptation of a career moment for both the very much in-form galloper and his astute young trainer has proven irresistible.

As has been the case with each of his five runs since his benchmark 64 win at Murray Bridge in June, it's another big step up for Just Folk.

But Julius is confident the gelding could not be any better prepared.

"He's done all he's had to do this week. He's obviously come through the race last weekend well," he said.

"He stretched his legs on the course proper on Wednesday morning and was his usual self.

"I can't really fault him - he bounced off the track Friday morning like he usually does before a race.

"He's fit and fresh and well, eating well and fresh within himself.

"It makes sense dropping in weight and drawing a good barrier to have a got at the big one."

Up again in class and against a crack field, headed by Group 2 Feehan Stakes winner Superstorm, last Saturday's impressive Sydney winner Icebath and boom four-year-old Mr Brightside, who is chasing a seventh straight win and beat Just Folk at his last start in the Listed Seymour Cup, Julius is entering race day with no great expectations.

"Hopefully we can get a bit of luck in the running and when it comes to the finish, we are somewhere thereabouts," he said.

"It's obviously just terrific to be a part of a race like this, especially with what we think is a live chance of finishing in the first half of the field.

"As a first crack at a Group 1, it didn't take much convincing to have a go.

"These are the races he's got to go to now to be down in the weights."

An exhilarating first Group 1 race appearance will cap off a drama-filled eight days for Julius, who followed his stunning first Group success with a win with relatively recent acquisition Westbrook Park at Warrnambool on Thursday, before being involved in a bingle on the way home from the races.

"We came across a tree on the road that wasn't really visible until we came over the top of it," he said.

"Luckily horse, float and me were relatively unscathed. There's a bit of skin off and here and there, but we were pretty lucky in the scheme of things.

"Hopefully we haven't used up all our luck before Saturday."

Bendigo has not produced a Group 1 winner since Bunratty Castle's win in the 1968 Caulfield Cup.

Former Bendigo trainer Shaun Dwyer came closest to breaking the drought in recent times, twice finishing as a runner-up with the sprinter Miss Leonidas in 2019 and '20.

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Just Folk triumphs for Josh Julius in Group 2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley

Group 2 success still surreal, says Julius | Video

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