Racing: Justa Tad out of contention

SYDNEY - She's Justa Tad's Cox Plate aspirations are over after she over-raced in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

"We're almost 100 per cent sure we will not pay up for the Cox Plate acceptances on Tuesday," owner-trainer Rudy Liefting's wife Megan told NZPA yesterday.

She's Justa Tad was 10th in the Turnbull, which was brilliantly won by dual Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva.

The Takanini mare raced three wide and jockey Stephen Baster could not get cover for her for much of the race.

She kept trying in the straight but was never a threat to the leading brigade.

The Lieftings have decided to lower their sights and she will probably race next in the group three Coongy Handicap at Caulfield on October 15.

That is over 2000m, but they are likely to drop her back to 1600m with the group one Nestle Peters Classic at Flemington two weeks later a likely target.

- NZPA