Racing: Trainer's spleen burst by kick

It's from the Lord Mayor's luncheon to the piecart for Rudy Liefting.

Last Friday night the Takanini trainer was declared Mercedes Owner of the Year at the annual racing awards dinner in Christchurch, and 48 hours later he was in a Middlemore Hospital bed with a ruptured spleen.

On the eve of champion filly Justa Tad making her first 4-year-old appearance, Liefting was kicked in the stomach by a broodmare on Sunday night and will miss his star performer's reappearance at Taupo tomorrow.

"Rudy wasn't keen on being taken to hospital last night, but when he kept passing out in the car on the way there I managed to convince him," said wife Megan yesterday.

"The ward sister originally told him he had to have three days' bed rest, then when they discovered the spleen was ruptured they told him he'll be there at least a week."

Justa Tad faces a strong field in her first raceday appearance since finishing second in the AJC Oaks at Randwick at Easter. Also in the line-up are Maroofity, Waitoki Dream, Clifton Prince, La Sizeranne and stayer Viz Vitae.

Megan Liefting says the stable is not expecting too much.

"She did not grow in height during her spell, but she certainly grew outwards. Were calling her Miss Podgy. She looks like a big, fat teddy bear."

It had been a deliberate ploy not to peak Justa Tad too early, with a Melbourne spring campaign in mind and possibly the Cox Plate.

"It should take her a few races to come up, but that's what we want."

Justa Tad will be ridden by regular jockey Vinny Colgan.

"We've come to an agreement that Vinny will have first option in every one of her New Zealand starts, and when she gets to Australia the first call will be Larry Cassidy."

Cassidy rode Justa Tad into second in the AJC Oaks and has been phoning the Lieftings, offering to fly to New Zealand to ride the mare, even in her barrier trials.