Three-year-old Pippos has one of Queensland racing’s best known names and trainer David Murphy is hoping he lives up to it at Doomben.
By multiple United States Group One winner Lookin’ At Lucky, Pippos will be having his third start in the Brandons Three-Year-Old (1600m) on Saturday.
Lookin’ At Lucky, who spent one season in Australia at Coolmore, listed the Preakness Stakes, Haskell Invitational and the Del Mar Futurity among his victories.
Murphy named Pippos after prominent Brisbane hotelier and racehorse owner Angelo “Lucky” Pippos.
“I had a few horses for Lucky and when I saw the sire was Lookin’ For Lucky, Pippos was the obvious name,” Murphy said.
Lucky Pippos isn’t the only well known member of the family. His brother, the late George Pippos, was chairman of the Queensland Rugby Union and part-owner of champion galloper Gunsynd.
Another member of the Pippos clan Andy Pippos was a leading Brisbane bookmaker for 30 years.
Pippos ran on solidly for fourth at his most recent start at Ipswich.
“That was only his second run and he is a big long striding bloke,” Murphy said.
“He got caught on the fence and didn’t really get a chance to stretch out until the first three had got away from him.
“Pippos has been crying out for 1600 metres and I think he will make a good staying type of horse.
“Lookin’ At Lucky was a top class horse and his dam Hilliard is by Danehill and her family is very strong as well.
“She is a sister to Brackenbury who was a top mare trained by David Hayes and there are a couple of other good horses in her family including Rullene and Kilspindie.”
