Racing: Walker keeps eye on Hastings

If you were camped anywhere near the birdcage at Te Rapa on Saturday you will not be wasting your money on Maroofity at Taupo today.

Behind schedule from an early knock to a joint, the triple group one winner had a massive blow after his exhibition gallop and is still short on race-winning fitness.

"With that weight I'd expect him to need the run at Taupo," warned Matamata trainer Mark Walker.

"But it should tighten him up a bit and allow me to see if I can get him into the Mudgway with just that one run under him."

Walker never seriously considered easing the task by claiming an apprentice allowance today.

What he misses out in weight relief, Walker figures he more than compensates for with rider Michael Walker's expert analysis on whether the Mudgway Stakes (1400m) at Hastings Saturday week is a viable option.

Megan Liefting, wife of injured trainer Rudy Liefting, also warns punters against getting carried away with Justa Tad's first serious steps today on a Cox Plate campaign.

Although she's strengthened since finishing runner-up in the AJC Oaks in March, Liefting says Justa Tad is still well short of full fitness.

Both Liefting and her husband, who was hospitalised with a torn spleen on Sunday after a kick to the stomach from former stable star Windsor Phew, will be happy just to see her running on.

"Vinny Colgan will be doing his best and she'll be doing her best, but I can't imagine her beating Clifton Prince when he's fit and ready to go," said Megan Liefting, the mare's regular track rider.

"I wouldn't be backing her, put it that way. Taupo is just one stop."

Any further mishaps aside, Liefting said today's race will be Justa Tad's last in NZ before the Cox Plate.

She's due to leave for her Cranbourne base Saturday week, with her first Victorian run in the Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 3.

Meanwhile, Mark Walker's also not expecting a winning effort today from his AJC Oaks placegetter That's Tops.

She makes her first raceday appearance in a Caulfield-Melbourne Cup campaign when she resumes over 1300m. "She'll find the 1300m at Taupo a bit short, but I'm very happy with her," he said.