Racing: Justa Tad biased

Wherever Justa Tad races this season in Australasia - Vinny Colgan will follow.

The Matamata-based jockey has a lethal partnership with the three-year-old filly and they will be at short odds in the $120,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes at Ellerslie on Monday.

Justa Tad is a sit-sprint filly and her style has been used with stunning success this season by Colgan.

"Justa Tad is a dream filly to ride because you can just put her to sleep back in the field over any distance and, when you ask her to lengthen stride, the response is amazing," said Colgan.

"The Royal Stakes will be her first start beyond 1600 metres but punters shouldn't worry because she'll get the distance easily.

"She relaxes very well in her races and her natural acceleration will make her a handful for her rivals.

"From barrier eight I should be able to get a sit off the pace and I'm not worried about any of the opposition she'll be racing against.

"She has been the top filly in New Zealand all season and I know she'll be running on at the finish of the race while there may be a question mark beside a few of her rivals.

"I'll travel anywhere to ride this filly because she's an amazing racehorse to sit on. She has come a long way this season and I think she'll continue to improve with the step up to middle distance racing."

Spin 'N Grin, Clarissa, Basra, Vamperalla and Balanchine bring impressive formlines into this Group Two event.

Spin 'N Grin was an impressive winner of the Eight Carat Fillies Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day when unleashing a blistering home stretch sprint from well off the pace.

Clarissa has won her last two starts impressively against older opposition and is clearly a filly that will excel in a jump up in distance to 2000 metres.

The Sydney-trained Basra was disappointing in her NZ debut on Boxing Day at Ellerslie but her career record is too good to overlook in this event.

Vamperalla showed a swift turn of speed when leading and getting run down late by Spin N' Grin on Boxing Day.

Balanchine was placed fifth in the same event and made ground solidly late in the home stretch.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY