3 minute read

Janelle Millar wants to see a show of form from Just The Tip before she sets any major targets for the dual stakes winner.

And the New Plymouth trainer is hoping for that positive performance from the seven-year-old in Saturday’s Manawatu Standard Summer Cup at Awapuni so she can then plan with some certainty.

Just The Tip finished runner-up in the event 12 months ago before he beat Maygrove in the Listed Marton Cup, a title he added to an earlier success in the Listed Wanganui Cup.

“Ideally, it would be nice to go to the Marton race again but he needs to show something first,” Millar said.

Just The Tip will be making the fourth start of his current preparation after a setback when he suffered an injury last month in the defence of his Wanganui crown.

“He got galloped on and his back leg swelled up so we had to back off him, but he’s come right now,” Millar said.

“He needs good tracks and he’s had a couple of jump-outs and been quite impressive.”

Apprentices have handled Just The Tip in his last two appearances and Millar is looking for an improved showing in the hands of a senior jockey at Awapuni on Boxing Day.

“Johnathon Parkes will be on him and he’s a strong rider so hopefully everything goes well,” Millar said.