A hip, hop and a win

A strong late finish saw Hiphopopotamus record a gutsy victory at Bendigo on Friday, the five-year-old really letting down over final stages to claim victory in the 2400m 0-68.

Spotting the leader several lengths at the top of the straight – having been trapped in behind the on-pacers approaching the turn, Hiphopopotamus had to make up plenty of ground and he was game doing so, pulling away over the final stages to win by a comfortable half length.

“I was always confident,” said apprentice Jordan Mallyon, “he only had to get the split and he was going to be hard to beat.”

“He will get better the further he goes,” Mallyon continued, “he did really well today, he found the line hard.”

Raced by the GG Syndicate Ltd (manager Gerard Peterson), Ballymore Stables Aust P/L Syndicate and Karen Glindemann, Hiphopopotamus recorded his first win since June 2009. Since that time he had however run a number of good races over staying trips.

A NZ$13,000 purchase by Paul Moroney, Hiphopopotamus is a son of the regally bred Ustinov - Gr.2 winning son of Seeking The Gold and Let's Elope. A half brother to the dual Group winning Macau based galloper Willie De Toy, Hiphopopotamus hails from the family of the 1964 Melbourne Cup winner Polo Prince.