Bit Lippy wins Group 3 Phoenix Park 2YO Classic
The Matamata youngster had placed in each of his previous three starts, all in black type company, and he capped that form with success in Saturday’s Group 3 Phoenix Park 2YO Classic (1200m).
Bit Lippy finished second on debut behind Melt in the Listed Ashford Park 2YO Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe and he again finished runner-up to the unbeaten filly in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.
In between times, the Showcasing gelding ran third in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m) at Trentham.
“He didn’t jump out so well in his last couple, but he got home well at Wellington after it took some time for him to get out and the leader was gone,” trainer Wayne Hillis said.
Bit Lippy cleared the gates smartly on Saturday for rider Cameron Lammas to take a handy sit one off the fence before improving three wide across the top.
They were in front soon after straightening and had no trouble keeping the challenge of Platinum Mam’selle at bay in the closing 200m.
Handsome Rebel made late ground to cut Wisdom Patch out of third money.
“He’s learning all the time and I couldn’t be happier with him,” Hillis said.
He can now look forward to Group One opportunities for Bit Lippy with the Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on March 10 and the Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni three weeks later attractive options.