Just Folk (outside), ridden by John Allen, held off Begood Toya Mother (Image: Racing Photos)
The Group 2 Crystal Mile has always been a good race for Josh Julius and after Saturday, it has become his favourite event after the upset win of his galloper Just Folk.
Julius had trained just 38 winners before Saturday and never had a runner in a G1 or 2 race but Just Folk made a mockery of those stats in the space of a minute-and-a-half when he proved too strong in the $300,000 race over 1600 metres.
Julius explained he once strapped Tears I Cry to run third in the race for his grandparents in 2007, but to win it in his own right was something special again.
"It is pretty surreal I'll give you the tip," Julius said.
"We scratched from last night thinking it might be our chance. It is obviously not the most regal of Crystal Miles ever run but we thought with the form that he is in he's worth a shot.
"To come out and do it is a massive thrill."
WATCH: Just Folk's Crystal Mile win
Just Folk, who more than doubled his prizemoney to $330,000 with the victory, started at $15 for jockey John Allen and after a tough battle up the straight, he held a half-length margin over G1 winner Begood Toya Mother ($19), with $1.90 favourite Elephant close up in third.
Allen said he had known Julius from his Warrnambool days before he moved to Bendigo to train.
"Great to ride a big winner for him," he said. "I've known Josh since I've been over here and his grandparents do a lot of work at Warrnambool, so it is good to get this winner," Allen said.
"He got a beautiful run. He jumped and put himself into the race.
"He always travelled really well and rounded them up easily enough but might have had a little think about it when he was in front but he was always doing enough to hold on."