Lipp back on interstate trail with Cifrado

By Glenn Davis

Toowoomba trainer Rex Lipp was once a feared northern raider in his heyday whenever he travelled interstate.

However, Lipp has been quiet on the interstate scene since culling his numbers several years ago and has been more content these days to stay at home.

That was until Lipp decided to end a near decade exile from having another crack interstate when he heads to Newcastle on Saturday with Cifrado for the Group 2 The Hunter.

Lipp hasn’t been to Newcastle since his former top sprinter Kenconcarne finished second in the Listed Cameron Handicap in 2000 while his Queensland Oaks-winning filly Tinto was his last Sydney starter.

“Kenconcarne was my last runner at Newcastle and Tinto was my last starter in Sydney,” Lipp said.

Tinto was retired after finishing near last behind champion mare Winx in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill in March of 2016.

Cifrado is coming off a last start fourth to the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Manhood in an unsuitable 1000 metre Open Handicap at Eagle Farm on November 4.

Cifrado is a two-time Group 2 winner of the Champagne Classic and Sires' Produce Stakes as a two-year-old as well as a Group 3 winner in the Vo Rogue Plate when it was run at Doomben in 2023.

A five-year-old son of Encryption, Cifrado has started 30 times for five wins and 10 placings.

His prizemoney earnings will soar to $2.3 million if he prevails and collects the $580,000 first prizemoney cheque in the 1300 metre feature.

“We’re going to have a crack at The Hunter,” Lipp said.

“He’s been getting a lot of weight in Queensland because he’s a Group winner and he’s only got 55kgs in The Hunter."

Lipp is confident Cifrado will acquit himself well against the tougher company in The Hunter.

“His last run when he ran fourth was terrific, but it was over 1000 metres and that’s not his go,” Lipp said.

“He got too far back at his previous start when he finished fifth in the (Listed) Members Cup.

“He’ll acquit himself well so long as he travels down okay.”

Lipp is only planning a hit-and-run mission with Cifrado before returning home to target the Magic Millions QTIS race at the Gold Coast in January.