Racing: Justa bit of luck needed

She's Justa Tad will be ridden by Auckland Cup-winning jockey Michael Walker. Picture / Simon Baker

Connections of New Zealand mare She's Justa Tad expect her to be a place chance in tomorrow's group one Australian Cup at Flemington in Melbourne.

"She is pretty much one run behind where we want to be at the moment," Megan Liefting, wife of trainer Rudy Liefting, said yesterday.

"But she always tries so hard. I think she should go a nice race."

She's Justa Tad, known in New Zealand simply as Justa Tad, the runner-up in the 2004 AJC Oaks, is a run behind because she injured a foreleg when she was working into her autumn campaign.

Added Liefting: "We wanted to start in the C F Orr Stakes over 1400m on February 11 but weren't able to do that, so lined up in the St George two weeks later."

That was 1800m and the small mare thrilled the Lieftings by running fourth to Our Smoking Joe on a heavy track.

Megan Liefting said She's Justa Tad had trained well since.

"She's eating fantastically and working well."

With top Kiwi jockey Michael Walker in Melbourne to ride Darci Brahma in the Australian Guineas, the Lieftings have snapped him up to ride their mare.

"We might as well give him a go seeing he is coming over and Nash [Rawiller] is suspended. Michael has always wanted to ride her."

She's Justa Tad will start from barrier five in the A$1 million ($1.14 million) cup and the Lieftings, who are hoping to shift base soon from Takanini to Victoria, will be hoping she has overcome her tendency to pull in her races.

She's Justa Tad was rated one of the outsiders by TABSportsbet at $21 yesterday.

TABSportsbet has the cup as a race in two, with Lad Of The Manor a $2.50 favourite ahead of Our Smoking Joe at $3.60.

Darci Brahma has drawn the inside for the A$750,000 Australian Guineas.

He was a $5 second favourite yesterday, with God's Own at $1.85.

- NZPA