Racing: Filly keeps jockey home in the cold

A great horse can pull a crowd and injured jockey Vinny Colgan admits he's the crowd being pulled by champion filly Justa Tad.

Colgan has spent the last two winters riding in Singapore and Macau because he cannot tolerate the cold of Waikato winters.

He is staying at home this winter because of Justa Tad - he desperately wants to stay her regular jockey.

She is spelling after finishing second in the AJC Oaks in Sydney and is likely to be prepared for the $1 million Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings in the spring.

"I didn't do anything about an overseas contract firstly because of the leg, but essentially because I don't want to be in another country when Justa Tad is running around.

"She's potentially worth more to me than going overseas."

The broken bones in Colgan's ankle have mended perfectly, but the jockey is working on getting ligaments and muscles back in order.

"I'm walking around on it fine, but the ligaments and muscles are tight when I get out of bed in the morning. When I walk around for a while they warm up nicely.

"I'm going to the gym and walking a lot. As soon as the ligaments get more supple I'll be back riding trackwork - possibly in three weeks.

"I haven't put on any weight since I've been sidelined. I could ride tomorrow if I was fit."

Colgan has ridden some smart thoroughbreds, including three Derby winners at Ellerslie, and has never hidden the massive opinion he has of Justa Tad.

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Trackside will provide live coverage of Makybe Diva's attempt on the $3.4 million Tenno Sho in Japan on Sunday night - provided the champion Australian mare runs.

Melbourne trainer Lee Freedman is threatening not to run Makybe Diva if Japanese officials do not water what is a hard track.

"I don't want any favours, I just want a track that is fair to all," Freedman told The Herald Sun.

"My owner won't let me run her on that track. Mission off. We'll go home."

The race will be run at 6.40pm.