By Glenn Davis
Trainer Rex Lipp has come home from races with hard luck stories too many times to remember with In His Stride but he’s hopeful the gelding’s return to Eagle Farm on Saturday will end the rot.
In His Stride has competed in 18 Listed races throughout his career and has been narrowly beaten several times in Stakes races in the Dalrello Stakes, The Phoenix Stakes, Eye Liner Stakes and Sunshine Coast Cup.
He also was beaten centimetres in his first Magic Millions QTIS Quality in 2017 while his biggest win was on a heavy track in the Listed Ascot Handicap at Doomben in April last year.
In His Stride will be chasing his seventh win in a 55-start career when he returns to Brisbane’s premier track in the Open Handicap (1200m).
In His Stride showed he could be nearing his best form with a strong third to Chapter And Verse in the QTIS Magic Millions race at the Gold Coast on January 12.
The six-year-old is one of a number of horses who suffered during Eagle Farm’s closure but its recent reopening has been a blessing to many, none more so than Lipp.
“He’s always been an Eagle Farm type horse who likes big tracks,” Lipp said.
“His last run on Magic Millions day was fantastic. Hugh Bowman got off him and said the hard track cost him the race.”
Lipp will see how In His Stride recovers after Saturday’s run but is likely to aim him for the Listed Goldmarket Handicap at the Gold Coast on March 16 and possibly the Listed Weetwood Handicap later on his home track.
Lipp has Aileach, Supersonic Boom and Makemyday in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200m) and Gem Of Scotland in the QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1000m).
Aileach has won two of her seven starts and is resuming following her latest appearance when fourth to Alpine Dancer over 1615 metres at Doomben in September while Supersonic Boom is coming off a last start fourth at Beaudesert.
Spirit Of Boom colt Makemyday won a maiden at Dalby before a last start fifth at Beaudesert.
“Aileach and Supersonic Boom are the best of mine in the Three-Year-Old race,” Lipp said.
“Aileach is on the way up while Supersonic Boom is fit and well after winning at Ipswich and running fourth at Beaudesert last start.”
Lipp has earmarked the QTIS Jewel (1200m) for three-year-olds at the Gold Coast on March 16 for the pair while stablemate Gem Of Scotland, a last start Ipswich winner on debut, will head to the QTIS Jewel for Two-Year-Olds if successful in her race.
Racing Queensland webnews Feb 1