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A win at Grafton on Tuesday will have trainer Carolyn Halliday looking at the $1 million Grafton July carnival with improving three-year-old filly Leica Bita Lippy.
Purchased via the internet by owner John Tilton, the daughter of Nothin' Leica Dane tackles the Busways North Coast Benchmark 64 over 1712m.
Since resuming from a short let-up in late April, the filly has struck a good patch of form.
“She really hasn't had a decent spell but she's thriving,” Murwillumbah based Halliday said. “I think she's a filly on the way up, there's plenty of scope to her.
“If she can win tomorrow or race well there are a number of races during the Grafton carnival that will suit her.”
When Tilton purchased Leica Bita Lippy as an unraced two-year-old she was called Leica Mood. The name change incorporates sire Nothin' Leica Dane, and her dam, Little Lippy, by Simonstad. It is a staying pedigreed.
After winning first-up over 1300m at Casino, the filly was beaten a nose by Piccali over 1400m at Murwillumbah on May 7 then went down by a length to Toucan Ukelele over 1708m at Grafton on May 15.
The form from that race has stood up with Toucan Ukelele beating promising mare Whitesails at Taree yesterday.
Tuesday's race represents a step up in grade, Halliday confident however, her filly is up to the mark.
“Yes it's a step up in grade but if she goes good then a race over the carnival wouldn't be beyond her,” she said.
“She's backing up over 1700m but eventually I went to get her out to 2000 metres then keep stepping her up to see how far she can go.
“She's a beautiful filly to do anything with, a great temperament and her trackwork since Grafton has been satisfying.
“I don't over gallop her but she's done well on the track, eating up and looks good.”
A natural front runner, Halliday suggested she may ask apprentice Samuel Payne to seek cover on Leica Bita Lippy tomorrow.
“We may try and take a sit. She's got a very good turn of foot when racing with cover,” Halliday said. “She sort of goes to sleep mid race then livens up again when it matters.
“In front she's a sitting duck.”
