Racing: Liefting's mile plan comes to fruition

Kane Smith gets Danza Lad home. Photo / Race Images PNTH

Rudy Liefting got his reward when Danza Lad added to his Awapuni record with an upset victory in the feature event on yesterday's card.

Good things come to those who wait and the Pukekohe trainer finally has a group three Merial Ancare Metric Mile title to his credit.

"Rudy set the horse for this race and he's got it," his wife Megan said. "He has wanted to win this race for a long time after he ran third with Windsor Phew a few years ago."

Danza Lad was at odds of 15-1 despite winning the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup over a mile on his last visit to Palmerston North in May and he had also run third in the group three Winter Cup two runs back.

"It was a fantastic ride and all credit to Kane Smith, he knew how to ride him," Liefting said.

Danza Lad raced close to the pace set up by The Filly and when Smith cut loose 150 metres out they sailed clear to have the race in safe keeping.

"They're not really coming from the back so I rode him a bit handier," Smith said. "I set him alight 700 metres from home and he prevailed."

Danza Lad has now won 10 of his 39 starts and earlier this year he also secured his jumping ticket to add another string to his winter bow.

Authentic Paddy gave an honest account of himself with his second placing and the hot favourite Spoke To Carlo finished third.

He looked to have his chance after getting on the tail of the winner near the home turn.

Meanwhile Karen Zimmerman has classic hopes for Liapari whose private reputation went public at Awapuni with a tidy performance to open his winning account.

The Otaki trainer took an early shine to the three-year-old who justified his high rating with victory in yesterday's Water Force Maiden.

"I've got a lot of time for this horse, he's a very good stayer in the making," Zimmerman said. "I think he might be a really nice Derby type."

Liapari finished an encouraging fourth on debut at Waverley in June and a subsequent trial win at Foxton furthered his experience.

Liapari produced a strong finishing run under Kelly Myers to beat Master Platinum, who had finished a respectable last-start fifth in the Listed Wanganui Guineas.

Debutante Henree Winkler also gave a good account of himself with a game effort for third.

- NZ Racing Desk