Trish Dunell Photography
Winner in waiting Bit Lippy is in line for another trip to the central districts.
The Matamata youngster has placed in all three of his starts, each time in black type company, and the Gr.3 Phoenix Park 2YO Classic (1200m) at New Plymouth on February 3 will be his next assignment.
“He’ll go down to Taranaki, he’s already had a trip to Wellington and he handles everything perfectly,” trainer Wayne Hillis said.
Bit Lippy finished runner-up on debut in the Listed Ashford Lodge Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe before he ran third in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m) at Trentham.
On New Year’s Day at Ellerslie, the son of Showcasing came from last to finish second behind the unbeaten Melt with She’s A Thief and Al Hasa third and fourth respectively.
“He made up a lot of ground and beat a couple of good ones as well,” Hillis said.
Bit Lippy’s autumn programme will take in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie and the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni.
“The distance of the Manawatu race will suit him the best,” Hillis said.
Meanwhile, stablemate Nothing Trivial will on Thursday shoot for another Coastwood Homes Lockwood Thames Cup (2000m), a race he won in 2015.
The Group placed stayer, who has also won over hurdles, was successful in the Taupo Cup (1950m) at his most recent appearance.
“He’s trained on well since then,” Hillis said. “He’s always been an honest horse and he’s been unlucky a few times as well.” – NZ Racing Desk.