Racing: Promising 3-year-old Jip Jip Rock to debut

Jip Jip Rock runs at Ruakaka today. Photo / Trish Dunell

Byerley Park trainers Peter and Dawn Williams will take three horses north to Ruakaka today in the hope of recording their maiden victories.

Promising three-year-old debutant Jip Jip Rock has pleased her trainers with her three trials to date and she could be on a gr1 Gavelhouse.com 46th New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) path if she performs well in today's Lion Red 1200.

"We're very happy with her heading into tomorrow, but she's drawn a bit wide [barrier 10]," Peter Williams said yesterday.

"She had a first and a second in her trials [this preparation] and trialled up really well, we're more than happy with her.

"It's a long way off yet [the 1000 Guineas], so we'll find out after tomorrow what her spring plans will be. We'll get the maiden race out of the way and then we can work something out.

"I really like her a lot, she's a lovely filly."

The stable's other three-year-old debutant Friday Wolfe may yet be withdrawn from the Whangarei Racing Club Membership (1200m), with her trainers wanting more forgiving ground for the filly.

"She might not run yet, we'll just play it by ear," Williams said. "The track might be too hard for her."

Meanwhile, four-year-old mare Below Zero will be aiming to break through for her maiden victory.

The daughter of Postponed has been in consistent form since her debut late last year, having never finished further back than fourth in her five career starts, and was runner-up in her last start over 1150m at Waipa.

"She's racing well," Williams said. "She's been perfect since her last start and has been doing everything right."

- NZ Racing Desk