Distill Upsets Favourites In Levin Classic

Friday, 25 November 2011 07:16

Distill caused a boilover when he charged home for victory in the Group One Levin Classic (1600m) at Otaki near Wellington on Friday.

Distill was Group-placed as a two-year-old but was a $36.50 chance in Friday's feature for three-year-olds after unplaced runs in the Hawke's Bay Guineas and Wellington Guineas.

But trainer Roydon Bergerson had him at his best for the Levin Classic and he produced a storming finish to overhaul Randall and favourite Antonio Lombardo and win by 1-1/4 lengths.

Distill was bred by Windsor Park Stud and became the 14th Group One winner for the farm's highly successful sire Volksraad. He is a half-brother to the stakes-winning stayer Mr Tipsy.

Bergerson said he hoped Distill would start in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March.