Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Bettagetonpip’s commanding victory in the $21,000 Support Variety Club WA Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night was a firm indication that she will be a leading contender for the upcoming rich classic events for two-year-old fillies.
This was her first test over 2130m (the distance of the $100,000 Diamond Classic on August 9 and the $215,000 Westbred Classic on September 6), and she passed with flying colours.
A well-supported $2.30 favourite, Bettagetonpip began well from barrier four and took up the running after 170m before leading her rivals on a merry dance and winning by three lengths from Stella Deliziosa ($13), with debutant Ciganda ($34) a further ten metres back in third place.
This was a convincing performance by Bettagetonpip, who was having her first start after a three-month absence. After a slow opening quarter of 31.8sec. Bettagetonpip ran the final three 400m sections in 29.2sec., 28.7sec. and 29.8sec. and rated 1.58.3.
She is prepared by astute Baskerville trainer Ryan Bell and was driven with supreme confidence by Kyle Symington, who said: “Her work has been a lot better this preparation. She still doesn’t look like she has grown into herself, and once she fills out a bit, she will be a really nice filly.”
Bettagetonpip is by American stallion Betting Line and is out of Pippa Royale, who had 33 starts for three wins (two at Bunbury and one at Pinjarra), nine placings and stakes of $24,890.
Pippa Royale is a half-sister to seven winers, including Truckers Ruffnut (53 starts for 20 wins, 14 placings and $249,770), Tuxedo Tour (70 starts for 15 wins,21 placings and $194,596) and Give Us A Wave (65 starts for 16 wins, 16 placings and $165,857). Give Us A Wave won ten times in Western Australia and has now won six races in America.
Bettagetonpip was purchased for $39,000 at the 2023 Perth APG yearling sale, and she has earned $38,881 from two wins and two seconds for four starts.