Just The Tip provided Janelle Millar with the first stakes win of her training career and the free-goer doubled the Taranaki horsewoman’s tally with a gallant win in Saturday’s Listed feature at Awapuni.
The late bloomer showed his front-running skills when successful in the Listed Wanganui Cup and he repeated the dose in the Listed Gallagher Marton Cup.
The New Plymouth trainer was referring to the six-year-old’s previous appearance on Boxing Day when he finished runner-up to Iamishwara in the Summer Cup.
Bred by racing photographer Trish Dunell, Just The Tip will now attempt to hold his form against stronger company in the Gr.2 Platinum Homes Wellington Cup, for which he is now a $9 chance.“I’m absolutely thrilled,” Millar said. “Our aim was to make sure he had a little bit left for the Wellington Cup and I think we did that.”
Just The Tip was reunited at Awapuni with Mark Hills, who rode him in the Wanganui Cup, and they made all the play out in front. They were clear 250 metres from home and narrowly held out the late lunge of the favourite Maygrove.“It was a good effort and he loves to roll along,” Hills said. “He’s a happy horse and he doesn’t get a re-handicap for today’s win so he gets in the cup with 54 kilograms.”
Maygrove did his Trentham chances no harm and he will appreciate the 2400 metre trip of the cup on January 24. He is the second fancy at $6 behind Graphic, who is a $5 chance to retain his title.
