Pippy has been a sprinting revelation this preparation and has convinced connections to aim higher on her home course at Ruakaka.
Trainer Chris Gibbs had entered the daughter of Tivaci for two events on Saturday, but her outstanding run of form has earned her a tilt at the Sprinters’ Winter Championship Final (1400m).
“I had a good talk to the owners about it and we said if she was going along well enough, we’d give it a crack,” he said.
“I threw in a nom for the other one (Rating 75, 1200m) just to take a look.”
Pippy is unbeaten this preparation following consecutive victories on her home patch, including a strong performance two runs back over this weekend’s distance.
“She’s going really well so I’m obviously very happy with her,” Gibbs said.
“She has surprised me a little bit, I wasn’t picking her to win three in a row.”
The four-year-old has breezed through all three outings in fine order and, for an on-pace runner, will have the added benefit of the inside barrier.
“She has come through each race better than the last, which is neat, and it’s a pretty strong field and she deserves her chance,” Gibbs said.
The stable will also be represented by the talented duo of Chevron and Malfy Rosa in the Whangarei Gold Cup Stayers’ Final (2100m).
El Roca gelding Chevron, who finished runner-up in the event 12 months ago, was a resuming third in an open sprint and was then unplaced when over a middle distance a fortnight ago.
“He got injured out in the paddock and was off way longer than we would have liked and behind the eight ball a bit, hence the jump up to 2100m,” Gibbs said.
“I could have run him over a mile on a heavy track at Tauranga so it was much of a muchness, that would have been a hard enough run.
“This was always the race we have been looking toward and Michael (McNab) rode him fresh up and was always keen to get back on him, so we’ve engaged him. I’d like to think they’ll be pretty competitive.”
Malfy Rosa rounded off well for third two runs back and while unplaced most recently, it was a better effort than Gibbs originally thought.
“Last time, it was a bit of a slow pace and then they quickened and I thought she was a bit casual,” he said.
“Then I looked at her sectionals and, to be fair, she came home the same as the winner (Mineshaft) so I wasn’t as disappointed.”
Malfy Rosa will also have the addition of blinkers on Saturday and she has reacted well to the change.
“Her work has certainly so that she’s got a bit more interested and I’m really happy with her,” Gibbs said.
“I’ve only got the three runners and I think they are all nice chances.”
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