Trainer Rex Lipp, based in Toowoomba, was far from satisfied with the performance of his stable star Cifrado in the recent Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich. This dissatisfaction has prompted a change of rider for Cifrado’s upcoming start in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at Sunshine Coast this Saturday.
Lipp voiced his displeasure concerning Boris Thornton’s ride at Ipswich, highlighting that Cifrado was impeded on multiple occasions and finished the race with plenty in hand, having been badly checked approximately 100 metres from the finish line.
The five-year-old gelding will now be guided by Ben Thompson on Saturday. Lipp conveyed that the Group 2 BRC Sires victor is currently in the best form of his career.
“He’s got over his problems he had last preparation,” Lipp confirmed. “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.”
Commenting on the previous ride, Lipp added, “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 initial outing was over 900m at Gold Coast during his juvenile season. He went on to secure victories in both the Sprit Of Boom Classic and the BRC Sires at Group 2 level, with additional stakes wins recorded at ages three, four, and five. While Lipp harbours aspirations for a third Group 1 triumph, he is currently content with placing Cifrado in races that suit his capabilities.
“If I can find the right race later on I’ll take him South (to Sydney),” Lipp indicated. “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 nominations for the 1400m Glasshouse Handicap on Saturday. He was installed as the second favourite in the all-in betting at $6, behind Bjorn Baker’s Midnight Dynamite, who is also entered for the Winter Stakes at Rosehill Gardens. Consider exploring online bookmakers for the best betting markets for the race.
