Trainer Rex Lipp, based in Toowoomba, expressed his dissatisfaction with the ride his stable’s prominent horse, Cifrado, received in the recent Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich. This has led to a change in jockey for Cifrado’s upcoming engagement in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at Sunshine Coast this Saturday.
Lipp conveyed his frustration regarding Boris Thornton’s performance at Ipswich, citing that Cifrado was repeatedly blocked and ultimately finished the race largely untested, having been significantly impeded at the 100-metre mark.
The five-year-old gelding will now be partnered by Ben Thompson on Saturday. Lipp indicated that the Group 2 BRC Sires winner is currently in peak condition.
“He’s got over his problems he had last preparation,” Lipp stated. “I don’t think the horse has looked better for twelve months – I think he’s going as good as I’ve ever had him.”
Regarding the previous ride, Lipp commented, “He (Thornton) knows, he’s ridden the horse before and you don’t go looking for runs on him unless you can drive a bus through because he winds up, he’s not a stop-start horse as you can see from his two previous runs. But anyway, we’ll put that down as ‘don’t let it happen again’.”
Cifrado’s career began with a debut over 900m at Gold Coast during his two-year-old season. He went on to secure victories in both the Sprit Of Boom Classic and the BRC Sires at Group 2 level. He has since added further stakes wins at three, four, and five years of age. While Lipp harbours ambitions of a third Group 1 victory, he is currently content with placing Cifrado in races appropriate to his class.
“If I can find the right race later on I’ll take him South (to Sydney),” Lipp mentioned. “He ran fifth in The Hunter at Newcastle beaten a length and a half and had a chequered run but anyway, that’s the story of Cifrado, he should’ve won. Anyway, he worked nice and strong on the bit on the course proper Tuesday morning at Toowoomba and I’m very happy with him ahead of Saturday.”
Cifrado was among 36 entries for the 1400m Glasshouse Handicap on Saturday. He was positioned as the second favourite in the all-in betting at $6, trailing Bjorn Baker’s Midnight Dynamite, who is also a nominee for the Winter Stakes at Rosehill Gardens. Punters looking for the best racing odds can explore various Australian betting sites.